The government has announced the deployment of intern doctors effective Thursday and called on the doctors' union to suspend their strike amid ongoing mediation to resolve the remaining issues.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the government said it has secured Sh2.4 billion to facilitate the immediate deployment and posting of the 2023/24 cohort of medical student interns.
"In that regard, all eligible medical student interns are urged to collect their posting letters from the Ministry of Health's offices with effect from Thursday, April 4, 2024," Koskei said.
This resolution, he said, was arrived at during two conciliatory meetings held on March 21, 2024 and subsequently on March 27, 2024 as orderd by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
"With that spirit in mind, the leadership of the KMPDU is urged to comply with its obligations under the Court's Orders by immediately suspending the ongoing industrial action," he added.
Posting of medical interns was one of the pertinent issues the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union was pushing for when they went on strike on March 14.
According to Koseki, the Whole of the Nation Approach Committee spearheading mediation talks identified 19 issues raised by the striking doctors.
He said the mediation committee classified and prioritised each issue and assigned responsibility to each tier of government.
He said six of of the issues fall under the national government’s mandate, nine fall under county government’s mandate while four are concurrent and are a responsibility of both levels of government.
Koskei said besides the deployment of medical interns, the national government will pay the basic salary arrears arising from the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
He said the national government will also provide grants and scholarships for eligible postgraduate medical officers.
“We are aware that county governments are at various stages of addressing the issues raised in respect to their counties,” he said.
Koskei, who chairs the Whole of the Nation Approach Committee, said the court sanctioned conciliation talks will continue to seek solutions to issues that informed formation of the dialogue team.
He said this includes conclusion of a memorandum of understanding on the minimum safety services doctors should provide in case of a protected strike.
The Chief of Staff assured the commitment of all actors to the conciliation process saying both levels of government, state agencies and stakeholders remain committed towards constructive dialogue, addressing concerns and ensuring the health and well-being of all Kenyans.