By Wasike Elvis
Doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret have confirmed that their strike will continue until their grievances are fully addressed by hospital management. The ongoing strike, now in its third day, has led to the shutdown of emergency units, resulting in a significant decrease in patient numbers and an overall disruption of hospital services.
Dr. Kamonzi Mulei, the branch secretary of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) North Rift, reiterated the urgency of the matter, emphasizing that the doctors' demands have already been submitted to the hospital management. A board meeting has been scheduled for Friday to discuss the concerns raised by the healthcare workers.
"We urge the management to take these grievances seriously and come up with a lasting solution," Dr. Mulei said. He pointed out that the issues at hand are critical to the well-being of both the medical staff and the patients they serve.
Among the key demands are the demeaning contract terms imposed on doctors, a call for permanent and pensionable employment, addressing third-party deductions, promoting doctors without additional compensation, and the failure to assign doctors to their specified fields of practice.
Dr. Darwin Ambuka, Chairman of the KMPDU Northrift Branch, expressed his disappointment with the ongoing situation, stating that the strike was justified. He pointed out that doctors should not have to fight for promotions, as it is a natural expectation in their profession.
“Our demands are still on the table, and we want to encourage the management to address these issues faster. We have seen the suffering of our patients, and we cannot continue under these conditions,” Dr. Ambuka said.
In his statement, Dr. Ambuka also criticized the casualization of labor in the medical field, stressing that no doctor should have to work under contract terms. He advocated for permanent, pensionable employment conditions, which he said would improve morale and ensure quality care for patients.
The strike is having a far-reaching impact on hospital activities, not only affecting the well-being of patients but also hampering the hospital’s revenue generation. Doctors at MTRH generate a significant income daily, and the ongoing strike has led to a decline in hospital earnings, further intensifying the financial strain on the institution.
As the strike continues, the medical professionals remain firm in their resolve, urging the management to engage with them meaningfully and find a solution to their demands. The outcome of Friday’s board meeting will likely determine the next steps in this ongoing labor dispute.
