The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened to hold mass protests if the Ministry of Health does not post medical interns by July 7, 2024.
The union’s Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah, announced this ultimatum on July 4, emphasizing that the Ministry of Health must address the union's concerns by this deadline to avoid the demonstrations.
Dr. Atellah stated that the union’s members are prepared to occupy the Ministry of Health (MOH) offices day and night starting on July 8 if their demands are not met.
The protest is in response to what the union describes as the government's failure to fulfill its commitments regarding the posting of medical interns.
The conflict between KMPDU and the Ministry of Health centers on several unresolved issues, the most pressing being the posting of medical interns.
According to a Right to Work (RTWF) agreement dated May 8, the interns were supposed to receive their posting letters by July 7. This agreement was reportedly made in the presence of Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and the President at the State House.
KMPDU has listed five key demands in their recent announcement:
1. Immediate posting of all medical interns.
2. Payment of medical interns in line with the existing collective bargaining agreement.
3. Establishment of a Health Service Commission to address ongoing staffing and service delivery issues.
4. Restoration of the Linda Mama programme, which provides free maternity services to Kenyan mothers.
5. Opposition to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) that began registration on July 1, 2024.
The union argues that failing to address these issues would significantly impact the healthcare sector and the welfare of medical practitioners in Kenya.
They have expressed particular concern about the delays in posting interns, which they say hampers their ability to gain essential practical experience and contributes to a shortage of medical staff in the country.