Ahadi Kenya trust CEO Dr. Stanley Kamau and West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin have asked doctors to call off their strike and to resume duty during this Christmas holiday.
The two said that’s the best gift doctors can give Kenyans, and will help to prevent the loss of lives.
Dr. Kamau asked doctors to devote their time to the patients during this festive period and not to focus only on the salary increment they are demanding from the government.
“Am asking doctors to serve patients without any conditions. We want to celebrate the festive season in peace,” he said.
The CEO also asked the government to stop threatening the doctors’ union through the courts, since it may worsen the situation.
“Let’s embrace dialogue because those who are greatly affected by the strike are low-income Kenyans who cannot afford to seek the services in private hospitals,” he said.
Kamau said it’s only through dialogue that the government and the union and can reach an agreement and save patients from the agony they are going through.
Governor Kachapin asked the government to come up with a policy guideline that will help to control the unions in the health sector since the docket has been devolved to counties.
The county boss said that it was unfortunate doctors continue to operate their private medical facilities at the expense of poor Kenyans who depend on their services in public facilities.
He asked the government to address the doctor’s issue citing that it’s getting out of hand. “The government needs to address this sensitive issue,” said Kachapin.
Kachapin urged doctors to immediately reconsider their move and negotiate with the government for return to work to alleviate the suffering patients are going through.
He said his government had done a lot to improve the standards of health workers. “My government has absorbed health workers that were employed under economic stimulus project and promoted most of the health workers,” he said.
Mr. Kachapin stressed that county governments have the capacity to manage health sector and asked the doctors to call off the strike.
He also asked doctors to adopt a method used by traditional herbalists in curing patients.
“Traditional herbalists don’t demand for their pay until you are healed. Our doctors should also apply the same,” he said.
The two were speaking in Kapenguria during the donation of basic necessity items including food, shoes, and slippers and an ambulance donated by Ahadi Kenya trust in collaboration with Lotto Foundation to vulnerable families in the county.
Kamau said the ambulance will work together with the Beyond Zero Van to ensure health services in the county are improved.
“The ambulance will help rescue women from remote areas and enable them to access free maternity services in hospitals. They will no longer be forced to be carried on wheelbarrows,” he said.
The CEO also asked politicians to put politics aside during this celebration period and allow Kenyans to enjoy the holiday in peace.
“People need Christmas, not politics. We need to enjoy,” said Kamau.
