DOCTORS UNENDING STRIKES IN KENYA

There is no end in sight for the doctor's strike after talks meant to resolve the impass between the Striking Medics and their employers on Wednesday afternoon broke down.

The tripartite talks comprising the doctor's Union and the National and County governments broke down after the National government allegedly insisted on doctors calling off the strike as a precondition for engagement before walking out after the Medics refused to accede.

As reported by Citizen TV reporter of matters of Health Mary Milwaukee reported that the Council of Governors had directed striking doctors to obey court orders and resume work or face the sack even as the strike hit the second week now.

Furthmore now this is the second time in a one week span talks between the government and the Kenya medical practitioners and dentist Union KMPDU have hit a snug after the court sanctioned mediation aimed at arriving on a return to work formula collapsed after the government allegedly demanded that doctors call off the strike before the talks proceed.

While the Medics remained adamant that they would only call off the strike if the government agreed on a return to work formula,"we have asked the union any time between now and first of April that if they comply with the ruling and lift the strike or stay the strike or suspend it then we will proceed to call the next form of action approach meeting so that we can be able to discuss the 19 issues which they have laid on the ground.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davia Taylor accused the government by coming to the negotiating table with insincere intentions.The union remains unshakable that it will only call off the strike once it has a return to work formula.

The union demands a commitment from the government on the 19 key grievances that led to the strike.https://youtu.be/EJhwHxwb-h8?si=_rxiBqyPGqRv5TXl

On 27/March/2024 evening when the the meeting was schedule to start they decided to all stream out of the engagement saying that they don't bother and they don't care how long the strike takes.

So the union to has decided that they will continue being out until the government sits down and be ready to resolve the issues they are raising.

On the other hand the Council of Governors on Wednesday held an extraordinary meeting regarding the ongoing strike that has paralyzed health care delivery across the country and directed striking doctors to obey court orders.

The county boss also called out the national government to implement the contentious 2017 CBA to unlock the impass.

The county boss also encouraged the Union to negotiate the new CBAS with individual County governments.Who are their employers adding that they cannot be negotiated from the National level because health is a devolved function and he also urged the National government and the County governments and the doctors to exercise sobriety as parties resolve the matters.

Finally in conclusion to his statement he urged the doctors who are on strike to go back to work according to the court orders directives issued on 13th March 2024 and 15th March 2024 failure to which the respective County governments who are their employers will be at Liberty to take any appropriate action or disciplinary action.

Taking note that the doctor's strike have gone on for two weeks now.The Employment and Labor Relations Court which convenes again on third of April may be the only viable option left to broker a truth and restore Public Health Services around the country.

Whats your take on ongoing doctors strike in kenya and if you were gorvement what action could you take?