The government has presented a fresh offer of Sh6.1 billion to address the demands of doctors, despite the ongoing strike, while the striking medics have insisted on resolving the contentious issue of posting interns before agreeing to any deal.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha stated on Tuesday that the Ministry would resort to legal action if the doctors did not end the strike.
“We have received a total of Sh6.1 billion to settle the issues raised by doctors,” she announced. “In response to the doctors’ refusal to end the strike, we have instructed our counsel to immediately move to court and file a status report on what we had agreed to and initiated as a return-to-work formula.”
The strike, ongoing for 41 days since March 14, 2024, has significantly disrupted services across all public health facilities.
While 18 of the 19 issues raised by the doctors have been resolved, the sticking point remains the posting of interns. Despite optimism from the government that a deal would be signed on Monday, doctors remained firm that the intern issue must be addressed.
“Since the government has conceded to 18 of our 19 demands (except internship), kindly take back the 18 and give us the one,” said Davji Atellah, Secretary-General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
Nakhumicha announced plans to seek a review of the court order preventing action against striking doctors during negotiations. She emphasized the importance of ensuring healthcare services for Kenyans.
Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru called on the striking doctors to return to work, warning of necessary action against those who refuse.
“Every county will take necessary action as they deem fit,” she stated. “We have given in to everything, and still, we are at this impasse for no good reason.”
Of the 19 issues raised, six concern counties, nine the national government, and four both levels of government. The posting of interns is under the purview of the national government.
Governors, stakeholders, and KMPDU representatives have been attending talks led by Felix Koskei, the Head of Public Service, since March 21, with a series of four meetings held over the past weekend.
The Sh6.1 billion offer is the second rejected by doctors, after an initial Sh2.4 billion proposal where interns were to be posted and paid a Sh70,000 monthly stipend.
KMPDU is advocating for a Sh206,000 monthly pay for the 1,210 intern doctors, among other demands including payment of fees for doctors on postgraduate training, extension of contracts for UHC staff, payment of arrears of basic salaries as per the 2017 CBA, and provision of comprehensive medical insurance.