Siaya Doctors Down Tools Over Unfulfilled CBA Promises
He cited the county government’s disregard for commitments made under the agreement as the main reason behind the industrial action.
Doctors in Siaya County have withdrawn their services following the county government’s failure to implement the terms of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed two years ago. Photo/KNA.
By Ann Kachalan
Doctors in Siaya County have withdrawn their services following the county government’s failure to implement the terms of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed two years ago.
Speaking at Siaya Doctors Down Tools Over Unfulfilled CBA Promises the Siaya County Referral Hospital on Wednesday, Dr. Steve Ndong’a, Chairman of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nyanza branch, announced the commencement of the strike.
He cited the county government’s disregard for commitments made under the agreement as the main reason behind the industrial action.
“Our biggest challenge is the lack of promotions, inadequate health insurance, and a severe shortage of personnel,” Dr. Ndong’a explained. “This has placed an enormous strain on our current workforce, compromising the quality of care for the people of Siaya County and endangering the lives of both patients and healthcare workers.”
Dr. Ndong’a emphasized that the poor working conditions faced by healthcare workers, including the absence of health insurance, are putting their health and well-being at risk.
He added that the shortage of medical personnel has made matters worse, forcing the few available workers to operate under immense pressure, ultimately lowering the standard of care provided to patients.
The KMPDU Nyanza branch chairman reiterated that the county’s failure to address these issues has pushed healthcare workers to the brink, leaving them no choice but to take industrial action.
“The lack of support for healthcare staff not only endangers their safety but also undermines the services they provide to the citizens of Siaya County,” he said.
The doctors’ strike underscores the broader challenges facing Kenya’s healthcare system, particularly at the county level, where resource shortages and unmet commitments often disrupt service delivery.
Residents of Siaya now face significant disruptions in access to healthcare as negotiations between the union and the county government remain pending.
The union has urged the county leadership to urgently address the grievances to prevent further deterioration of healthcare services in the region.
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