Clergy meets striking medics to mediate talks with govt

Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Laban Wanambisi

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 22 - The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers and Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union are set to meet the Clergy on Monday.

The clerics led by Anglican Church Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit and Catholic Bishop Anthony Muheria recently asked the government to stop issuing threats to striking doctors and instead engage them in meaningful discussion so that they can end the strike.

Expressing optimism that dialogue is capable of addressing the stalemate between the government and the doctors, the clerics said: "The situation is deplorable and we continue witnessing the misery of the sick. Many have died and many are deteriorating in their sickness because of the current standoff."

The church leaders said many Kenyans are suffering because they are not able to get services in government health facilities and therefore the government should expeditiously look for ways to end the stalemate in the health sector.

"Our health provision is in the hands of the medical fraternity, we ask both parties to seek dialogue and settle the matter once and for all." the religious leader noted as they asked both sets of officials to "speedily address the legitimate concerns of the doctors."

The doctors strike has lasted for one month, with no end in sight as the medics and government continue to hold a hard stance on talks.

The nationwide doctors' strike in Kenya began on March 12, with at least 4,000 medics demanding higher salaries as part of a 2017 collective bargaining agreement, better working conditions and the employment of intern doctors. Five weeks later, there is no sign of a compromise as the government claims it cannot allocate the necessary funds.

The strike has caused widespread disruptions in healthcare services. With medical professionals absent from their posts, hospitals, and clinics, many patients were left unattended and desperate for medical assistance.