Doctors call off strike after striking deal with county

Doctors in Kisumu have called off their strike following a deal and signing of a return-to-work formula with the county government.

The agreement with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) which entails Promotions, NHIF cover, statutory deductions and study leave bore fruit after three days of stalemate and continuous engagement. 

Speaking after signing of the agreement the KMPDU Nyanza Chairman Dr Kevin Osuri said the two parties reached an agreement that led to the signing of a return to work formulae after consultations.

“We ask all doctors in the county to resume work immediately so that health and provision of health services can continue uninterrupted,” noted Osuri.

He noted that KMPDU will continue to engage in CBA monitoring committee chaired by the county secretary as applied to counties in Nyanza.

Osuri said that doctors believe that the agreement will be implemented and they will not be forced to again demand the same.

The agreement involves Sh250 million set aside by the county government to effect all promotions according to the current schemes of service and place all doctors with a Masters degree in Job group Q and above, depending on the years served and the services of the scheme.

The county government confirmed to have paid for the comprehensive Health Insurance under NHIF for all doctors effected July 1.

The doctors will be granted study leaves according to the training policy of the county department of health with the promise of paying all pending statutory deductions by June 30.

The county acting health executive Nerry Achar said with the functional Public service board, the administration will implement the agreement without hesitation.

“With the cost element we have factored in money to ensure that we honour this agreement,” said Achar.

He explained that the county is considering all the promotions with adequate provisions for overall medical human resource.