KENYA —The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has boldly voiced its concern, spotlighting the plight of 12 doctors in Siaya County who, despite offering similar services, have been grappling with unequal remuneration.
This tumultuous chapter unfolds against the backdrop of KMPDU’s unwavering commitment to enhancing doctors’ welfare and fostering equitable healthcare access.
The KMPDU stands as the vanguard for Kenyan doctors, advocating for fair employment conditions and labor relations, with an overarching aim to bolster the welfare of medical practitioners.
With its pulse on health advocacy, the union’s mission is rooted in ensuring that high-quality healthcare, especially in the public sector, is accessible to every Kenyan.
Inequality and the battle for fairness
A striking disparity has come to light as the KMPDU sheds light on the case of 12 doctors contracted between 2018 and 2021 in Siaya County.
These professionals, offering services on par with their peers, find themselves subject to uneven compensation. This incongruity has raised red flags, evoking legal, constitutional, and international labor standards violations.
Dr. Aggrey Orwenyo, the KMPDU Nyanza Secretary General, asserts that this blatant discrimination contravenes the Employment Act, Kenya’s Constitution, and the ILO Discrimination Convention of 1958.
He underlines that as an employer, the county government holds the obligation to honor collective bargaining agreements as the baseline for employment terms and conditions.
While the KMPDU commends Siaya County for hiring 10 doctors last month, it’s quick to demand rectification for the plight of the 12 discriminated professionals.
Immediate payment of salaries for July and August has been requested, as the absence of remuneration exposes these dedicated doctors to financial struggles and uncertainty, contrary to the tenets of the Employment Act.
The wider spectrum
The KMPDU’s concerns reverberate far beyond Siaya County. In the broader healthcare landscape, doctors in Nyanza are due for promotion, with Migori County having promoted only 17 doctors earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Governor Simba Arati’s freeze on employment and promotions for 18 months in Kisii adds further hurdles to healthcare professionals.
These obstacles, coupled with the poignant revelation of ill-matched pay for specialist consultant doctors, paint a complex picture.
As this saga unfolds, a grave healthcare crisis looms on the horizon. Dr. Davji Atellah, KMPDU Secretary General, underscores that the shortage of medical officers, pharmacists, and dentists in public hospitals has precipitated overworked and demotivated health workers.
Amidst political priorities leaning towards infrastructure, the crucial human resource factor has been grossly neglected.
Dr. Atellah laments the dearth of medical supplies in public hospitals, which further compromises patient care.
Delayed treatments, prolonged hospital stays, and compromised diagnoses are stark consequences of this unsettling scenario.
Call to action
The KMPDU’s stance remains resolute – a call for the government to honor the signed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2017-2021.
Promotions, medical coverage, statutory deductions, and basic salaries hang in the balance, leaving doctors vulnerable and unsupported.
Amidst these challenges, the KMPDU echoes a resounding appeal for the government to acknowledge healthcare workers’ immense contribution and worth, invest in their welfare, and bridge the chasm between promises and actual service delivery.
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