The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has suspended its planned nationwide strike after reaching an agreement with the government on salary arrears and intern compensation.

The union has directed all intern doctors to resume work from December 23, ensuring uninterrupted medical services across the country during the festive season.

This comes following intensive negotiations led by Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki, resulting in a deal that addresses the union's key demands, including the payment of long-standing salary arrears and implementation of the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

"We have signed a deal that shows clear evidence of the intern doctors' payslip compliance with the collective bargaining agreement from 2017-2021," announced Dr Davji Atellah KMPDU secretary general.

This development marks a significant victory for intern doctors  who will now earn salaries comparable to their predecessors over the past seven years.

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The government has committed to paying 50 per cent of the doctors' base salary arrears by Tuesday next week, with the remaining half scheduled for disbursement in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Kwale County doctors have already received their payments, with approximately 20 more counties expected to process payments today, and the remainder scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

The agreement comes as a relief following the union's November 29 directive that required interns to stay home due to concerns over their mental health, with reports of suicides and widespread frustration among young medical practitioners. The Ministry of Health has also approved school fees payments for several doctors and announced promotions for over 400 medical professionals.

In addressing the ongoing challenge of medical insurance coverage, the Council of Governors confirmed that all but one county - Vihiga - now have medical insurance for their healthcare workers. Plans are underway to establish a public servants medical fund that will provide comprehensive coverage for all civil servants across counties.

The union had issued a strike notice on December 3, which was set to take effect on December 22 at midnight. Their demands included: Payment of intern salaries as per the 2017-2021 CBA, settlement of doctors' basic salary arrears pending for seven years, full implementation of the return-to-work formula signed on May 8, 2024.

The KMPDU leadership acknowledged the support received from various stakeholders, including global trade unions and the media, in their campaign for better working conditions. They emphasized the importance of protecting workers' rights and maintaining the sanctity of collective bargaining agreements.

The union also addressed the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund to the Social Health Authority, encouraging Kenyans to register with the new system to address practical healthcare challenges from within. They expressed commitment to working with the government and healthcare facilities to achieve universal healthcare accessibility.