Kenyan Doctors Union Official Says Government Is on Strike, Not Doctors
KMPDU official SG Davji Atella spoke at the burial of mental health psychiatrist Dr. Edith Kwoba, criticizing the Kenyan government’s handling of the ongoing doctors’ strike.
Atella emphasized the doctors’ humanity, stating “they are human beings whose needs must be catered for like any other person.” He called for the government to post medical interns in hospitals to alleviate the patient backlog. Atella went on to criticize a recent meeting between the doctors’ union and government representatives, claiming that the government officials walked out without offering solutions to the doctors’ grievances.
“They did not care to sort out the issues when they walked out,” Atella said. He argued that the doctors are not the ones on strike, but rather the government for its inaction. He said the Health Ministry responded to the doctors’ demands with a claim of lacking the nearly 4.9 billion KES in funds requested.
Despite this, Atella indicated that the doctors believe the Ministry has shown some willingness to address their concerns. However, past meetings have failed to produce solutions. Atella urged leaders to take action to create functional public hospitals and end the ongoing strike. He placed the blame for the strike squarely on the shoulders of the government, stating “it’s the government that’s on strike and not the doctors.”
Post Author
