Doctors Want Healthcare Included In Ongoing Bipartisan Talks, Cite Shortage Of Medics

• Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) named four issues they want to be discussed by the National Dialogue Committee
• Led by secretary general Davji Atellah, the doctors decried the shortage of healthcare workers in the public hospitals
• KMPDU also wants the issue around the implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) discussed by the bipartisan team

Nairobi - The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has called for National Dialogue Committee to include healthcare as part of its agenda.

In a statement, KMPDU highlighted four issues they wanted to be addressed by the team led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah.

Why KMPDU wants 2017 CBA implemented

KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah said the shortage of healthcare workers remains a key issue despite the country having 10 years since the start of devolution.

According to the doctors union, there is a severe shortage of medical officers, pharmacists, and dentists in public hospitals, and our members are now forced to work long hours without annual leaves, which is against the 40 hours per week they signed in our 2017 CBA.

"The shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, including doctors is a pervasive issue that continues to undermine the effective delivery of service. The county governments seem to have focused so much on the infrastructure development (brick and motor) and forgotten a very crucial aspect of healthcare service delivery which is the human resource," KMPDU said.

The doctors union has also expressed concerns over the persistent and critical shortages of essential medical supplies in our public hospitals, a failure that they said squarely rests on the shoulders of the government.

"The scarcity of vital medical equipment, drugs, and supplies has reached a dire point, gravely impacting service delivery in healthcare facilities across the country. Patients are bearing the brunt of this negligence, with delayed treatments, compromised care, and even lives at stake," they said.

The medics further want the issue of non-implementation of the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

KMPDU said the issues around promotions, medical cover, statutory deductions and the basic salary by the government must be addressed.

"Despite commitments made, the delay in fulfilling Page 3 of 3 this agreement undermines the well-being of our dedicated doctors, negatively impacting the quality of healthcare services and ultimately, the health of our citizens," KMPDU stated.

KMPDU speaks about 10 years of devolution

In a related story, the doctors said there was nothing much to celebrate about universal healthcare 10 years since the start of devolution.

In a statement, Atellah said the county governments have only been struggling with the management of healthcare resources but have very little to show for it.

According to Davji, county governments have been unable to handle the healthcare function properly.

“Over the past 10 years, the impact of devolution on healthcare in Kenya has been a subject of scrutiny. County governments struggle with resources and capacity to effectively manage the health sector,” stated Atellah.

The KMPDU boss argued that nothing will be realised unless the government changes its tact in the management of the healthcare system.