Clinical officers' strike continues

KUCO National Chairman Peterson Wachira. [File, Standard]

As the recent talks between doctors and the government spark a bright spot, clinical officers' issues, on the other hand, remain unaddressed as their strike enters the second month.

On Tuesday, April 23, the officers marched towards the Ministry of Health from the Greenpark terminus demanding their needs be met.

Adding that they will later march to the Salary and Remuneration Commission offices to demand the same.

Among their demands include the increment of risk allowance, comprehensive health insurance coverage, and employment of more than 20,000 clinical officers among others.

According to the Union, clinical officers will only return to work if and when their demands are addressed.

Their strike continues to severely disrupt healthcare access for the masses who rely on them as their main medical providers.

This is because they are the first point of call whenever a medical emergency happens.

Further, while ranking below doctors, clinical officers form the backbone of any country's primary healthcare system as the first responders to patients' needs.

As clinical officers' strike continues, doctors on the other hand have in the past few days engaged in active talks with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and the Council of Governors sparking a possible end to their ongoing strike.

Speaking on behalf of the union, KMPDU Deputy Secretary-General Dennis Miskellah expressed optimism about the progress made, stating: "We believe that the key and the most important thing is that we are talking. As long as we continue talking, then Kenyans can remain hopeful that sooner than later, we will come to a point of convergence."

A decision on whether to call off the strike or not should be made by the union anytime soon.