The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced plans to hold protests at the Ministry of Health offices on July 8 over the government’s failure to deliver on promises made to medical interns.
In a statement released on July 4, KMPDU noted that according to the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) dated May 8, interns were to receive their posting letters by July 7.
However, the union stated that this promise was not fulfilled, despite assurances from the Health Cabinet Secretary in the presence of the President.
“Based on the RTWF dated May 8th, intern doctors were to collect their posting letters by July 7th, 2024. The same was promised to us by CS Nakhumicha in the presence of the president in State House,” read the statement.
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Occupy MOH
As a result, KMPDU has decided to “occupy the MOH” in demos believed to have been inspired by the youth-led anti-government demos starting from July 8.
The union is demanding that all medical interns be posted and paid according to the terms of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Also Read: KMPDU Clarifies Death of Doctor as Volunteer Medics Step Down from Protests
“We will occupy and camp at Afya House until ALL medical interns are posted and paid as per CBA 2017 terms,” read a statement by KMPDU.
Additionally, KMPDU has called for the demonstrations to begin at 9 AM on Monday, July 8, at Afya House along Cathedral Road.
The union has also shared a poster with the hashtags #ImplementCBA2017 and #OccupyMOH, indicating their determination to see their demands met.
KMPDU Calls Off Doctors Strike
This latest action follows a nationwide doctors’ strike earlier this year, which also centered around unfulfilled terms in the 2017 CBA.
The Union signed a return-to-work formula with the MOH ending the 56-day strike.
“After 56 days, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) signs agreement, ending nationwide doctors’ strike,” noted MoH.
KMPDU Secretary General Devji Atellah reaffirmed the agreement and urge members of the union to resume work within 24 hours from the time of signing the agreement.
Also Read: Doctors Sign Deal to End Strike After 56 Days
“The strike that began on 13th of March 2024 has been called off. We have decided to take the government’s promises for the last time,” Atella said.
KMPDU On Posting of Medical Interns
Additionally, he noted that one of the fundamental issues of doctor interns was still pending.
“This matter has been part of the conversations, and we could not come to a particular agreement because the union was for the opinion that doctor interns must be posted immediately as per the CBA.”
“While the government was for the opinion that we have to wait for the Court’s mitigation that is ongoing in Eldoret before we come to an agreement,” he said.
“All the doctor interns will have to wait a little bit longer. We have agreed on a 60-days period that they will not be posted but we will be having conversations on this issue.”
The union is now taking further action to ensure the government upholds its commitments to medical interns.
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