Services have been stalled and disrupted at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as the board and doctors’ union try to end the six-day medics strike.
“Negotiations with the union are ongoing. Most issues have been agreed on except for two, which we hope to resolve soon. We have daily meetings,” hospital CEO Dr Phillip Kirwa said.
KMPDU branch chairman Dr
Darwin Ambuka and secretary Dr
Kamunzi Mule confirmed progress
but made no commitment to end
the strike.
“Our concern is that the negotiations are very slow,” Mule said.
The hospital has been facing a financial crisis following budget cuts.
“We are hoping the board will resolve all the issues, including funding for this hospital. Our patients are suffering, yet the issues we have raised are not complicated at all,” Ambuka said.
KMPDU national treasurer Dr Mercy Nabwire launched the strike at the hospital last Wednesday.
She said doctors were withdrawing services.
“Although we love our patients, we have no option but to strike so our issues are heard,” Nabwire said.
She said the patients cannot be treated by doctors who are mistreated and whose rights are violated.
She said patients and leaders must know the hospital cannot operate without doctors.
Kamunzi said the strike was
mainly caused by what he called mistreatment of doctors hired on
contracts, non-remittance of third-party deductions, and failure to promote doctors.