Doctors strike cripples services at Kenyatta National Hospital

Kenyatta National Hospital

Operations at Kenyatta National Hospital have been grounded by the ongoing lecturers’ strike.

A few consultants have been hired to fill the gap left by their striking counterparts who supervise students at the facility.

Medical students who work in the hospital have joined their striking teachers.

A meeting between the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) held yesterday failed to resolve the crisis.

“More than 700 registrars are still on strike, and even if we wanted to go back, the lecturers who teach us are on strike,” said KMPDU Secretary General Ouma Oluga.

Oluga said the registrars handled up to 85 per cent of the work at KNH without pay and that they wanted their lecturers to be treated well and to rid the hospital of systematic issues.

Some 264 medical lecturers yesterday said they would not resume work until their grievances were addressed.