KMPDU Boss Issues Fresh Strike Notice, Warns Government

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued the government with a seven-day ultimatum to address the ongoing nurses’ strike. The union warned that doctors could join the industrial action if authorities fail to resolve the dispute and restore essential services in public hospitals.

KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah said the prolonged nurses’ strike has placed considerable pressure on healthcare facilities across the country. He explained that patients who require nursing care are struggling to receive essential services, creating difficult conditions for both patients and medical workers.

Atellah said doctors are being forced to handle heavier workloads because of the shortage of nurses in public hospitals. He cautioned that continued pressure on the available medical personnel could further compromise the quality and safety of healthcare services.

According to the KMPDU secretary-general, public hospitals have experienced serious operational challenges during the strike. He argued that the government could not continue treating the situation as normal while an important component of healthcare delivery remained disrupted.

The union’s warning comes as the dispute between nurses and authorities over a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) remains unresolved. Nurses have been demanding implementation of outstanding provisions contained in the agreement, while negotiations between their representatives and government authorities have continued.

Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi recently appealed to the striking nurses to return to work as discussions continued. He maintained that negotiations had been taking place before the strike began and urged the parties involved to pursue a solution through continued engagement.

The nationwide nurses’ strike began in late July after talks failed to settle their outstanding demands. The industrial action has since affected nursing services in public hospitals, increasing pressure on county governments and national authorities to find an agreement.

KMPDU has now warned that the continued disruption could have wider consequences for Kenya’s already stretched healthcare system. The union says doctors are facing increased workloads and that the situation could become increasingly difficult if the strike continues without a resolution.

The seven-day ultimatum therefore places renewed pressure on the government to reach an agreement with the striking nurses. Failure to resolve the dispute could result in doctors joining the industrial action, potentially causing further disruption to healthcare services nationwide.

Source. https://read.kenyans.co.ke/p91Or