Clinicians issue 14-day strike notice

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers coast region at a peaceful procession towards Mombasa Governor's office in Mombasa County on Tuesday 28th May 2024, claiming they are on strike demanding what they termed the profession's respect. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Clinical officers yesterday issued a 14-day strike notice demanding the implementation of all their unresolved grievances by the government.

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) said their members will down their tools from January 19, 2025, if all their issues are not addressed.

KUCO Chairperson Peterson Wachira stated outside Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital that all agreed timelines had been set.

Wachira, alongside Secretary-General George Gibore, said there was lack of government goodwill to implement the agreements. 

KUCO demands the recognition and empanelment of healthcare providers and practitioners under the Clinical Officers Council.

They also want the reinstatement of pre-authorisation rights for Clinical Officers, including specialists, under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

“We demand Full implementation of the RTWA by the Ministry of Health and all 47 County Governments before 19th January 2025.  

"Failure to address these demands will leave KUCO with no alternative but to invoke Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya, together with relevant legal provisions, and commence industrial action starting at midnight on the 19th of January 2025," said

However, KUCO said they were open to constructive dialogue with the government and all key stakeholders to amicably resolve these issues.

"Without concrete action, we are ready to take lawful measures to protect the rights and welfare of our members and the public," said Gibore.

KUCO said the Social Health Authority has discriminated against Clinical Officers by excluding them from offering services under its framework.

This exclusion occurs because SHA refuses to recognize health facilities and practitioners registered and licensed by the Clinical Officers Council, as mandated by the Clinical Officers Act, according to KUCO chairperson Peterson Wachira.

“This discriminatory practice has caused widespread suffering among Kenyans who are denied essential services provided by Clinical Officers. Many are forced to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare services, exposing them to significant financial strain, contrary to the objectives of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and SHA,” the Chairperson said during the briefing.

The chairperson further told the press that they have been experiencing double Licensure where Clinical Officers are being coerced into licensing their facilities with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), an illegal act that they say forces them into double licensure.

He said the Pre-Authorisation Extortion Specialized Clinical Officers are being forced to use Medical Officers' KMPDC license numbers for pre-authorization, which is illegal and extortionate