The Kenya Medical Practitioners , Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced nationwide strike and ordered intern doctors to down their tools following the demise of one of their colleagues. Dr. francis Njuki took his life after facing frustration from his job.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atella stated that a large number of interns are unable to perform their duties since the government hasn’t paid them their dues, hence some have resorted to suicide. Dr. Atella shared,
“These are children, human beings that have gone to school and are dedicated to serve Kenyans and because of the undoing of the government, they have decided to erratically change what has existed for the last seven years without any goodwill,”
Dr Atellah further stated that the union will call for a major strike before end of year . He said that the government had failed to honour the return to work formula it had signed with them at the end of the 56 days strike at the beginning of the year. He said,
“We are going to give notice for a nationwide strike for all the doctors. We have the Special Delegates Conference (SDC) which then will determine whether we are going for seven or 14 days but at most 21 days,”
“I believe because of the urgency of the matter and the frustrations that is there with doctors across the country, we may not go beyond 14 days and that means next week we will issue the notice openly at Safari Park when these other doctors across the country will join.”
