The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union have threatened to go on strike if doctors’ allowances will not have been paid by end of this week.
KMPDU says, the non-payment of call and risk allowances to doctors lecturers at the university of Nairobi and ministry of health is in bad faith.
According to KMPDU Secretary General Doctor Chibanzi Mwachonda, members on the ground are demoralized and demotivated due to persistent salary delays, lack of comprehensive medical insurance and withdrawal of the COVID-19 emergency allowance.
“The fight against COVID-19 is being hampered by the disregarding of the welfare of doctors and this will continue until when the matter is resolved,” said Mwachonda.
KMPDU said that some counties like Mombasa, Meru, Nairobi, Kitui, Nakuru and Baringo have experienced industrial unrest.
The union has also called on government to consider compensating families that have lost their health workers due to COVID-19.
According to Mwachonda, the month of October has recorded the highest numbers of health workers, at 217, that have contracted the disease due to lack of adequate PPEs and staff shortage.
