NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 27 – The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has directed all intern doctors not to report to work with immediate effect after a medic based in Thika committed suicide.
According to the union’s Secretary General Davji Atellah, the working conditions have been made worse by no pay for four months.
Speaking during a press conference, he expressed his disappointment in the government and stressed that the matter should be addressed as quickly as possible.
“We find these inhumane acts by the government that does not care about its health workers unacceptable,” he stated.
“This afternoon we are asking the interns to stay at home until such a time that this government will see the need to do the right thing.”
This follows a 56-day strike by the medics that was called off in May after the government promised to pay interns.
“How many more doctors interns must die for this government to keep its promises?” Atellah stated.
Atellah further indicated that doctors will on Saturday announce when the actual strike will begin.
“This coming Saturday, the 30th November all the doctors in kenya from both the public and private sector will congregate in Nairobi to deliberate on this matter and issue a national strike notice,” Davji stated.
“The government is solely to blame for the untimely demise of our two young colleagues.”
Source: capitalfm
