A health crisis is looming in the counties of :Mombasa, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Tranz Nzoia, and Nandi after the health workers union gave the county governments two weeks to pay all health workers their two-month salaries failure to which they will down their tools.
This is according to Kenya Medical Pharmaceutical and Dentist Union KMPDU secretary general Chibanzi Mwachonda.
Mwachonda said the counties have up to date 5 of July 2020 to ensure all salaries due are paid.
” Despite the workers doing their part, the county governments have fallen short on their part. It is not right for a health worker working hard to protect the health of Kenyans from COVID 19 and other common ailments to be in financial distress due to salary delays,” said Mwachonda.
He added that the majority of the county government are yet to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with respect to the terms and conditions of work, promotions, and health insurance.
” in the past three months, doctors and other health care workers have diligently served Kenyans in the public health facilities despite a myriad of challenges at the workplace such as lack of adequate and quality personal protective equipment, staff shortage, and consistent salary delays,” He said.
This could be a huge blow for Mombasa county which has recorded more than 900 cases of COVID-19.
However, the union is still pushing for the creation of the Health Service Commission saying it will go along way in entrenching the right to health of all Kenyans and protecting the nation.
