The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah has said doctors’ protests at Ministry of Health have not been suspended.
The SG said reports circulating to the effect that #OccupyMoH has been suspended are false and misleading.
He claimed the union X handle has been compromised, “The union handle has been compromised and we are trying our best to gain control of it and clean. We must overhaul the system including those that have hacked the union handles,” he said in a statement on X.
The SG remarks followed an earlier post on KMPDU’s official X account saying that they had suspended the doctors planned demonstrations that were set to begin today.
The statement on X which has since been deleted indicates that the protests have been suspended as a result of ongoing negotiations with the government.
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“We are suspending the occupation of Afya House. This decision comes as a result of ongoing discussions and commitments made towards ensuring all medical interns are posted in accordance with the 2017 CBA,” the deleted statement read.
The Union wants the government to ensure all doctor interns are posted as per the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Ministry of Health.
On Thursday, July 4, the Union wrote to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander to provide security to the doctors who would be occupying the MoH headquarters in Nairobi starting Monday 8am, until all intern doctors received their letters of employment as earlier agreed with the ministry.
“Reference is made to the Return To Work Formula (RTWF) dated May 8, 2024 in which it was agreed that intern doctors would collect their internship letters within 60 days. This agreement, which was deposited in court referenced as EL032 and EL036 attached here, is yet to be fulfilled as of today. The 60 days lapses on July, 72024,” part of the letter reads.
The Union indicates that they have scheduled a sit-in day at the MoH where all the medical interns will be ready to collect their letters as agreed and in compliance with the RTWF and court order on today starting 9am.
By Obegi Malack
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