Doctors in Mombasa have given a seven-day strike notice after the suspension of Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO, Iqbal Khandwalla.
The notice was issued on Tuesday by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU). The union said if their concerns are not addressed within seven days, doctors across the county will stop working.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said once the strike begins, all doctors in Mombasa will down their tools. Only emergency services will continue. He added that consultants’ clinics and elective procedures will also remain suspended until what he called proper administrative safeguards are put in place.
“While the County describes the suspension as a normal procedure and promises a fair process, the circumstances around it raise serious concerns,” Atellah said.
He added that doctors are now ready to speak out about the conditions under which they work.
“We shall not be silent as we are being used as sacrificial lambs in a failed system. We urge our fellow citizens to listen to us,” he said.
Khandwalla was suspended on Sunday by the Mombasa County Government. The decision was confirmed by the County Secretary, who said the hospital’s board had approved the move after reviewing the facility’s operations.
According to the county, the board was concerned about what it described as a decline in governance and poor stakeholder relations at the hospital.
“The Board noted with concern a sustained deterioration in institutional governance climate and stakeholder relations affecting the Hospital’s leadership interface with the community it serves,” the county said in a statement.
The county government added that it remains committed to improving governance, accountability and public confidence in all county health facilities. It said more information will be shared once the process is complete.
However, the doctors’ union has questioned the suspension. KMPDU claims the move was politically driven and says there was no clear, properly authorised resolution from the County Public Service Board to justify the action.
The union also alleged that tribal and demeaning remarks were directed at the CEO while he was on duty, creating what it called a hostile working environment.
“Tribal and demeaning expletives were publicly directed at our member while on duty. No formal condemnation has been issued. No administrative action has been taken to safeguard doctors from political intimidation,” Atellah said.
If the strike goes on as planned, health services in Mombasa County could be disrupted, with patients only able to access emergency care in public hospitals.
