The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), has called off the strike which was supposed to take effect as of yesterday midnight following pending November and December salary arrears, NHIF deductions, and promotions.
Addressing the media yesterday evening, KMPDU Coast branch Secretary Dr. Nassir Shaban said, it was called off after talks, adding that, talks with the county health department and the Mombasa governor yielded fruits on their grievances.
While giving a strike notice, the union had accused the county government of perennial salary delays, failure to promote 70 health consultants who have stagnated in one job group for over five years, and contracted doctors to be absorbed under permanent and pensionable terms, as per a national government circular that orders for their employees to be on permanent terms.
The strike was supposed to take effect today January 11, 2022, and doctors in the following hospitals were to down their medical tools, Coast General Health and Referral hospital, Chuda, Potrieze, Likoni, Mlaleo, and Utange health centers,” he said.
KMPDU Chairperson Dr. Hassan Ahmed had earlier blamed the county government for being unable to address their welfare in terms of salary arrears but ironically they hosted a mega end-year party where international artists graced the event.
“They are telling us that they are yet to get an allocation from the national treasury but we read mischief. Where do they get the money to host an end of the year bash, at the same time, how do the other counties get the money if they are able to pay their staff on time, they are playing games on us,” added.