Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has urged medical practitioners to be patient as her office works to find a lasting solution to the deployment of medical interns.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 5, Nakhumicha said a strike would not solve the issue, emphasizing the need for a dialogue with all stakeholders.
“My call to the unions is to allow a discussion and conversation to take place. There are many things that we need to discuss and a strike will not resolve. A solution will only be found when we sit at the table and discuss it as stakeholders.
"The county governments, the Ministry of Labour, the National Treasury, the Public Service Commission, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, and the Ministry of Education are all stakeholders in the matter,” said Nakhumicha.
The Health CS acknowledged the delay and assured that efforts are underway to address the concerns raised by doctors.
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Nakhumicha noted that the ministry is considering factors such as funding and the availability of trainers for intern supervision.
“This matter is not so big… we are going to do all we need to do to ensure that we have sufficient health workers including the interns to be able to provide Universal Health Coverage,” she added.
Her remarks come after Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni convened a meeting with representatives from Health Workers Unions to address pressing healthcare issues and foster collaboration amidst simmering protests.
KMPDU on Monday issued a 7-day nationwide strike notice and demanded promotions, medical cover, internship posting, postgraduate fee payment, study leaves, and pension.
"We hereby issue a 7-day notice for a nationwide strike. Irreducible minimums include promotion, medical cover, internship posting, postgraduate fee payment, study leaves, and pension," the notice read in part.
