North Rift Health Services Grind to a Halt as Clinical Officers’ Strike Slashes Care Delivery Below 20 Percent
So the only thing that we need from this government are only two things. We are asking that you give us clarity in terms of our employment because we need permanent and pensionable terms of employment.
Kenya Clinical Officers Association (KCOA) officials. Photo/Courtesy
By Gideon Ngenoh
The Kenya Clinical Officers Association officials from North Rift have reported severe disruptions of health services due to the ongoing clinical officers’ strike. Officials conducted a fact-finding mission across facilities in Uasin Gishu, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot and Turkana counties.
KCOA Secretary Joseph Chebii said that delivery of services in facilities like in Uasin Gishu County is now below 20 percent, leaving many patients stranded in long queues. He warned that the strike has been hitting the average Kenyan very hard and undermining the government’s vision to have a universal health coverage program.
“Now the fact is that services being offered at these facilities here like in Uasin Gishu is minimal, less than 20% and we now see many in a very long queue. I think you have also seen and it tells us this strike has hit Kenyans very hard. That we call upon the national government, the Minister of Health through the Cabinet Secretary, the COG, and the leadership of Kenya Union of Clinical Officers to come on the table and actually sit, discuss, resolve these issues.”He Said.
He added that the failure to implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), under negotiation for eight years, is the primary cause of the strike. He urged that national government, county governments, Council of Governors, Ministry of Health, and the union immediacy come back into talks since it’s already noted that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission has given a go-ahead.
”The great issue, which has really brought this strike, is the CBA, which for the last eight years the union has been having discussions or negotiation with the government. And we call upon the two levels of governments and the union. I’m told that the SRC has already given an order on the table, so it is really about the two levels of government. If they can resolve this issue as soon as possible, it will be very good for Kenyans so that they can receive services”.He added.
Trans Nzoia-based clinical officer Leah Sogoti said that former Global Fund TB programme staff had remained unpaid for 19 months and demanded both salary arrears and job security while asking Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and President William Ruto to intervene.
“Unfortunately, the government failed to honour that laid down agreement with Ministry of Health, and it has really pained us. 19 months of work without salary. So the only thing that we need from this government are only two things. We are asking that you give us clarity in terms of our employment because we need permanent and pensionable terms of employment. Secondly, we are also requesting that we get paid our 19-month salary so that we continue serving Kenyans. Because we have been in this for the last 15 years and we aspire to still work and serve humanity as clinical officers,” She said.
Also, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s clinical officer Julius Kering has urged management to implement the already signed CBA to restore services, while KCOA Uasin Gishu Chair Isaac Kiptalam called to county governments to initiate dialogue, warning that services have fallen below 30 percent due to staff shortages and inexperience.
About Author
