After 56 days, the prolonged doctors’ strike has finally concluded as the government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) reached a return-to-work agreement.
The resolution emerged from intense negotiations held on Tuesday between KMPDU and representatives from the government, including the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health.
During a press briefing on Wednesday evening, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah announced that the union’s National Advisory Council had endorsed the agreements reached in these meetings, prompting the decision to end the strike.
Dr. Atellah acknowledged that while several issues remained unresolved, doctors were expected to resume their duties within the next 24 hours.
“Yesterday, we negotiated with the Council of Governors, followed by extensive discussions overnight with the Ministry of Health. Today, our National Advisory Council, our highest decision-making body, met and endorsed the signing of the return-to-work formula for doctors to resume work within 24 hours. This means that the strike that began on March 13, 2024, has been called off,” he stated.
Despite lingering concerns and past assurances, Dr. Atellah expressed the union’s willingness to cooperate with the current government administration, albeit cautiously.
“The government has undergone changes, and we must trust that they are sincere. While we previously insisted on concrete actions rather than promises, we have decided to accept their assurances this time,” he noted.
Dr. Atellah highlighted that the issue of posting and remuneration for intern doctors remains unresolved, indicating that the matter will now be addressed through legal channels.
He disclosed that the union and the government had entered into a 60-day agreement to continue discussions on the grievances of medical interns and chart a way forward.
