The West African Health Sector Unions Network (WAHSUN) has issued demands following the attack on Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr. Davji Attellah.
In a statement on March 1, 2024, the union noted that its leadership had received attention drawn from the attack on Dr. Davji during a protest in Nairobi.
The union has called for the Kenyan government to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators responsible for the attack to justice.
KMPDU SG together with other medical practitioners staged a protest on February 29 to demand for the release of funds allocated for the deployment of medical interns and the payment of post-graduate fees.
“We find the action of his shooting as unnecessary brutal force exerted by the Kenyan authorities to suppress the expression of Trade Union rights through demonstrations, picketing and strikes,” read part of the statement.
WAHSUN further stated that it stands in solidarity with KMPDU, Public Services International and its over 700 affiliates across the world.
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WAHSUN Demands
The union has also demanded for the release of the required funds for the deployment of the medical interns and the needed post-graduate fees.
KMPDU affiliates were also urged not to feel discouraged but to remain resolute in their pursuit of the demands.
“We request the understanding of all and sundry that better conditions of service and the general peace of mind of a health worker has correlation with the provision of safe and quality health services,” added WAHSUN.
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Regarding this, the union highlighted that the needs of health workers should be considered as essential at all times just like the services that they provide.
WAHSUN is a network of health sector unions in West Africa affiliated with the Public Services International (PSI).
It was established in November 2007 on the principles and strategies of solidarity towards the promotion of international workers solidarity.
According to WAHSUN, there are currently six Unions as and Associations that are members of the Network though from time to time they invite Unions from East Africa or the French Speaking countries to attend their meetings.
The West African network of health unions further wished Dr. Davji a speedy recovery and assured KMPDU of its continued support.
On its part, KMPDU in a statement on Thursday condemned the attack by the police as the union voiced out the endurance suffered by the medical practitioners in Kenya.
