KENYA: End doctors’ strike, appeals bishops
By Rose Achiego
The Catholic Bishops of Kenya, have once again appealed to the striking doctors to resume essential medical duties, even to a limited extent as the Union continues with the negotiation with the relevant Government organs. They have also called on the National and County Governments to create an environment suitable for dialogue in order to bring an end to the stalemate.
In a press statement signed by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Chairman and the Bishop of Homabay Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo, the on-going grand-standing and chest thumping by the Doctors’ Union on one hand and by the National and County Governments on the other, enhances the hopelessness of the sad and worrisome situation being experienced in the Country.
Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan
The bishops said that while they empathise with the Doctors on their disillusionment with the Government over the unhonoured Collective Bargaining Agreement of 2013, they continue to express deep concern over the on-going Doctors’ strike that keeps on causing Kenyans unimaginable pain, misery and suffering, including immense loss of Life.
They however thanked the nurses and other healthcare workers, including the few doctors in the private and public sector in the Country, that have continued their services to save lives despite the call to down their tools.
“We know you continue to be overstretched and overworked to a point of burn outs. We also thank the private and non-state medical Institutions that continue to go out of their way to respond to medical emergencies and help save lives despite the pressure on their resources, especially when the affected cannot afford to pay their medical bills in full.” The statement read.
The bishops who revealed their availability for mediation so that an amicable solution is arrived at as soon as possible emphasized that, it is incumbent on the Government to ensure the health of its citizenry is prioritized. “While we continue to pray for the situation to change, we urge all the relevant bodies to make decisions and take actions that ensure normal medical services are restored without further delay.”
Kenyan court ordered the doctors’ union to halt a state doctors’ strike, that has paralysed the health sector, or face a month in jail.
Justice Hellen Wasilwa on Thursday said officials of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union have two weeks to end the strike or face imprisonment.
The union rejected the court’s ruling to call off the strike, saying it will not negotiate under threat. Dozens of Kenyans are believed to have died from lack of medical care since the strike started early December.
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