KMPDU Threatens National Strike Over Unpaid Interns Salaries
They allege tragic suicides in the country owing to severe delays in salary payments faced by the medical interns.
By Dorothy Yegon
The Kenya Medical Practioners,Pharmacists and Denstist Union( KMPDU) has issued a strike notice set to commence next month, December 2024.
This, they said, follows tragic suicides in the country owing to severe delays in salary payments faced by the medical interns.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Attela calls for immediate action from the government, urging on interns to stay at home until their four-month dues are paid.
Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, Attela condemned government inaction, labelling the ongoing salary delays as "Inhuman acts" that display a disregard for health care workers .
"As a union, we find these actions unacceptable. We demand the immediate payment of intern doctors' salaries at the rate agreed upon seven years ago, " Attela stated, emphasising the urgent need for reform.
The Union's announcement comes in the wake of two heartbreaking incidents on Monday where Francis Njuki Gachumo, an intern Pharmacist at Thika lwvel 5 Hospital, tragically took his own life .
This follows a similar suicide incident of Dr Desiree Moraa, an intern doctor two months ago - both events highlighting the immense pressure faced by interns working under such dire circumstances.
"We have reached a breaking point. The government must decide in the coming days whether it wants doctors in hospitals or not, " Attela said.
The strike notice serves as a stark warning to the government , signalling the growing discontent among health care workers who were demanding fair treatment and timely payment.
As the December strike date approaches, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the mounting pressure to resolve this crisis.
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