The Ministry of Health is working to solve the grievances raised by healthcare workers across the country. Health CAS Dr, Mercy Mwangangi has said the government will not tire when it comes to protecting the lives of healthcare workers and has attached great importance to their welfare, “These are our frontline soldiers…we have taken note of the concerns raised by the healthcare workers and we continue to engage them in order to find amicable solutions to the issues of concern they have raised.”
Nurses and clinical officers under KNUN, KUCO respectively kicked off their strike on Monday, paralyzing health services in health facilities countrywide as a result. However, doctors, pharmacists, dentists under KMPU called off their strike hours to Monday to allow room for dialogue, a gesture which was lauded by the Health CAS, “We appeal to all health care workers to equally do the same.”
She said some issues have already been handled but others require extensive engagement with other stakeholders in government. “We would like to assure the country that in the same way that we have managed to put all government employees on the comprehensive NHIF plan, the other issues will be addressed to their logical conclusion.” Health worker shave raised vital grievances they need addressed, including a lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs), a lack of a comprehensive medical cover among others.