The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has postponed industrial action in Kisumu County following an understanding reached with the county government in order to address the long-standing doctor welfare issues.
The agreement was reached during a consultative meeting organized by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o on Tuesday, which brought together leaders of various unions and senior officers of the county. At the heart of this agreement is a timeline of 90 days, which is when the county had agreed to complete all pending promotions as well as validate those currently working on contract.
However, the news has alleviated concerns of an imminent strike, which could have caused inconveniences in health services in this lakeside county, mostly at a time when the region is slowly marketing itself as an up-and-coming medical center in the region.
The next three months will be very crucial, as stated by KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, as the union will be monitoring to ensure the pledges made translate into real and tangible improvements for the doctors.
In the course of the negotiations, Dr. Atellah welcomed the upgrade of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to Level 6 status. This is because it was considered a major milestone not only to the town of Kisumu but to the entire western region of Kenya.
“The transition also holds enormous possibilities with respect to increased access to highly specialized health services, infrastructure, equipment, as well as the establishment of Kisumu as the heart of the region with respect to specialized medical facilities,” he said.
The union, however, warned that the advantages that come with the new status for the hospital may be rendered hollow if the concerns for the doctors’ welfare being advocated by the union are not addressed.
‘At the same time, we raised our concerns that the anticipated benefits of this process, especially the welfare of our members and redressing historical injustices, might not receive due attention at the end of the process,’ Dr. Atellah said.
In order for this not to happen, the county government agreed that all pending promotions as well as appointment of doctors to their permanent pensionable terms shall be completed within the agreed 90 days.
The deal affects a total of 10 doctors in the competitive cadre, consisting of newly qualified consultants undergoing a transition from the common cadre to Job Group Q; 19 doctors undergoing a transition from Job Group M to N and from N to Job Group P; and eight doctors on a form of a long-term contract and are expected to be confirmed.
Dr. Atellah said that KMPDU will collaborate with the Department of Finance, Department of Health, as well as the County Public Service Board, so that the commitments will be carried out fully.
“Furthermore, he warned that they will not hesitate to act in case the county government fails to adhere to the timelines,” he said.
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“As KMPDU, we are well known for closely monitoring the progression of agreements, engaging in effective follow-ups, and taking all the necessary measures to ensure there is a concrete and just outcome for our members,” he said. At the moment, the trade union has announced that it shall wait for the county government to fulfill the agreed reforms before deciding whether to put out a strike notice.
