Doctors Strike: Contentious Issues That KMPDU, Govt Agreed On To End Strike

• Doctors called off their nationwide strike on Wednesday, May 8, after they struck a deal with the government
• KMPDU boss Davji Atellah revealed controversial items that the doctors' union and the government agreed upon to end the strike
• He asserted that the issue of the interns has remained unresolved and will not be posted until the government and the union reach a consensus

Kenyan doctors called off their 56-day strike after reaching common ground with the government on Wednesday, May 8.

The agreement was reached after extensive discussions on Tuesday, May 7, between the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the government, represented by the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health (MoH).

In a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke, KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah revealed a list of items agreed on in the return-to-work policy that convinced them to end the strike.

"Today, we came to a temporary relief when the courts mediated a process that would see doctors return to hospitals as the most contentious issues are determined," he said.

What are KMPDU's items agreed on?

Davji Atellah, stated the matters agreed on include the following;

He stated that the matter concerning interns remains unresolved and will not be posted until both the government and the doctor's union reach a consensus affirming the legal enforceability of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 2017.

Atellah stated that registrars would operate strictly between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with any additional work compensated as a locum.

He further added that an agreement was reached to employ 2,000 doctors in the upcoming fiscal year.

Additionally, the government committed to implementing a salary increase for doctors effective from July 1.

"We have also agreed on a presidential taskforce to address all the pending issues with a view of offering a lasting solution. We are committed to this course," Atellah said.

The doctor's union boss asserted that they will continue protecting the CBA 2017 .

" And that position is that no intern will have their terms reviewed. All doctors must enjoy terms as per the CBA."

Why did doctors postponed their peaceful protests?

Representatives from each party signed the return-to-work agreement to be adhered to by medical practitioners.

Prior to the agreement KMPDU took a significant step by issuing a letter to its members, postponing planned peaceful demonstrations scheduled for Thursday, May 9, in order to facilitate the negotiation process.

The posting of interns and their remuneration, which were among the key issues the doctors based their 56-day strike on, remained a grey area in the signed return-to-work formula.

What else you need to know about doctors' strike

• The local doctors embarked on their strike on March 14 paralysing services in the 57 public hospitals in the country.
• The clinical officers also downed their tools after the government failed to address their challenges.
• Atellah said that doctors could not celebrate on Labour Day as they lacked a reason to cheer during the national holiday.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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