Doctors in private hospitals set to join strike as pay talks collapse
Doctors in private hospitals are set to join the nationwide strike being held by their colleagues in public hospitals to push for better terms.
The fresh twist came hours after Kenya National Union of Nurses chairman John Bii said that talks between the Ministry of Health, the union and the Council of Governors had collapsed.
On Thursday, the Kenya Medical Practioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) general secretary Dr Fredrick Oluga announced that doctors working in all hospitals in the country, including privately owned hospitals and those run by religious institutions, will boycott work.
In addition, the 290 consultants who have been offering emergency services Kenyatta National Hospital will also stop their services forthwith.
“They (doctors) will stop services in the private hospitals because they are treating government officials who are refusing to implement the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement.), said Dr Oluga.
DIVERT ATTENTION
“They (government) are trying to divert public attention, but this strike will only end after the 2013 CBA is implemented. We are not interested with the Return to Work Formula.”
He added: “The only thing that will get us back to work will be the implemented CBA and the three years arrears.”
Mr Oluga said lecturers at University of Nairobi’s medical school have also joined the strike.
He also said the union is yet to receive the court order issued on Wednesday that ordered the union’s officials to appear in court next week.
“We have not seen the court orders or the arrest warrants, we’ve only heard of them from the media,” said Dr Oluga.
But the chairman of the Kenya Association of Private Hospital Dr Abdi Mohammed said it is not possible to close private hospitals.
