Kenyan medical practitioners strike extends to third week
The country’s Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union held a protest in the western county of Kisumu while the union convened a general assembly of doctors, medical interns and students in Nairobi.
Talks between the government and the union have so far not borne any deal.
The striking professionals demand among other grievances comprehensive medical cover for the doctors, that the government posts 1,200 medical interns and accuses authorities of failing to implement a raft of promises from a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2017.
The striking professionals also demand the payment of salary arrears.
According to a report, the clinical officers have joined the doctors in the strike.
The impact of the 3-week strike is being felt across the country with many patients left unattended or being turned away from hospitals across the East African nation.
Many can’t afford going to private hospitals
Kenyan doctors began their nationwide strike on 15th March.
Africanews/Hauwa M.
