Doctors in Kenya are plan to hold another public march on Tuesday of next week to advocate for their demands. The doctors have been on strike since March 14, primarily demanding fair remuneration and proper placement of medical interns. The Kenya ni Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has stated that the strike will continue until all their demands are met, and they remain resolute in their stance.
The key issue of contention is the posting and fair payment of medical interns. Although the government released funds for the immediate deployment of the 2023/24 cohort of medical student interns, KMPDU Chairperson Abi Mwachi stated that they were not willing to accept the government’s offer. The union argues that promises made in the past have not been fulfilled, and they believe that accepting the offer would solidify an illegal reduction in the interns’ pay.
The Employment and Labour Relations Court had previously halted the strike on March 13 and ordered mediation. However, the doctors have disregarded the court orders. Acting Health Director General Patrick Amoth acknowledged that the issue of internships has a historical perspective, with the number of medical training institutions and graduates increasing significantly over the years, while resources allocated to the ministry have remained the same.
The public march scheduled for Tuesday is intended to support the doctors’ rights to fair labor and quality healthcare. The strike has been ongoing for 26 days, and the doctors are determined to continue until their demands are addressed. They urge the government to engage in meaningful dialogue and advise medical interns not to accept the deployment letters due to concerns about their pay.
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