The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and representatives from the labor and health ministries could not agree on a return-to-work formula on Tuesday.
This came as the medical professionals charged that the government handled the situation carelessly and sent lawyers rather than senior ministry representatives as agreed.
Due to the collapse, the strike continued into day seven, and it is expected to get worse as eight more unions are scheduled to join starting next week.
"We were supposed to meet Principal Secretaries from the ministry of health and labour to iron out our issues, but what we are seeing are lawyers sent to us as if we are in a court of law," said Dr. Atellah.
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According to a letter dated March 13, 2024, from Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Chairperson Lyn Mengich to Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, KMPDU is protesting an alleged 91 percent reduction in the monthly stipend of medical intern officers.
"They are even worsening the situation by deducting the remuneration of medical interns. This is in breach of the 2017 CBA agreement. We were not invited to the talks yet we are the main stakeholders. We reject it," added Dr. Atellah.
Following the announcement by eight more unions, including the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), that they will formally join their colleagues at KMPDU in the strike starting next week, the country's health crisis is expected to worsen.
"We have said enough is enough, this government is not serious in listening to our grievances," KUCO Chairman Peter Wachira stated.
Shortly after delivering their memoranda to the National Assembly's Health Committee at Parliament buildings, the unions spoke.
Due to the ongoing doctor's strike, Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital's management decided to stop accepting new patients. Instead, it announced that the facility would only offer outpatient care and strictly handle walk-in patients who are in critical condition.
The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) announced on March 15 that it would reduce elective theater services to accommodate emergencies. The hospital blamed the doctors' strike for this decision.
