Health Unions and the Ministry of Health have agreed to hold quarterly meetings chaired by CS Susan Nakhumicha to discuss key issues affecting the sector.
This is one of the strategies aimed at ending persistent industrial action in the sector by aggrieved and disgruntled healthcare workers.
CS Nakhumicha and Public Health PS Mary Muthoni on Tuesday met with the leadership of various unions including doctors, nurses and and clinical officers.
"This marks a crucial step towards collaboration and addressing vital healthcare workforce matters, with the participation of key officials and regulators," the ministry said in a statement.
During the meeting, it was agreed that posting of all medical interns will be done in February with a follow-up meeting between the union and the PS scheduled for next week.
According to Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) SG Davji Atellah, the ministry also agreed to fast-track the payment of university school fees for Postgraduate training.
“We agreed to have quarterly meetings chaired by the CS. We thank the CS for always being ready to meet with the unions and also for acknowledging that unions and government are social partners that must walk together for meaningful and progressive gains in the health sector.”
Atellah said a meeting is scheduled between the Social Health Authority and the Health sector unions to discuss regulations contained in the Social Health Act, 2023.
"Further discussion is set on comprehensive medical cover with regards to the medical allowance that was relinquished by civil servants," he noted.
The health sector has in recent past been marred with strikes from healthcare workers, denying thousands of Kenyans access to medical services.
Top on their list of grievances has been stalled Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), stagnation in job groups and lack of comprehensive medical cover.
Poor working conditions and understaffing has forced healthcare workers to work for longer hours leading to fatigue.
"It was agreed that the ministry and Council of Governors to expedite CBA negotiations and implementation," Atellah said.
Just last week, Embu doctors called off their strike after a series of meetings with the county government.
The weeklong meetings took place between national and Upper Eastern Branch union officials and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
The doctors had downed tools on January 15 to protest lack of proportions and demand for permanent and pensionable terms.
