Medics in Narok County have vowed to join their colleagues countrywide in downing their tools on October 1, this year if the county government will not honour the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in the year 2016.
Narok branch Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) issued the warning saying four years after the CBA was signed, the county had failed to honour the agreement.
Led by South Rift Region KMPDU secretary Dr. Davji Bimji, the medics blamed the county government for going mum on them and abandoning them despite the Covid-19 pandemic experienced in the country.
“The medics are striking for their basic rights not met by the county government. Despite the pandemic, we cannot offer optimum services because of the shortages,” said Dr. Bimji.
He said the health workers are seeking to have their salaries increased as per the CBA, the risk allowance equalized with that of the doctors, the uniforms allocation increased and increase of the call allowance for those serving in remote and rural areas among other demands.
Narok county Nurses Union Chairperson Henry Onyancha said that they have had enough of empty promises given by the County Government.
He reiterated that they are currently facing an acute shortage of nurses due to the coronavirus pandemic and even though they have been engaging the County Government on various fronts, nothing has been done.
Kenya Health Professional Society (KHPS) Narok Branch Chairman Mr. Henry Twala demanded the county government to offer a comprehensive National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for all the health workers.
“We have a big shortage of workers in all cadres and what we are asking the county government to do is not too impossible to be done,” he reiterated.
The medics spoke yesterday at the Narok County Referral Hospital where they asked the county government to meet their demands so they don’t cripple health services in the county.
By Ann Salaton
