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