The healthcare sector may encounter additional disruptions as nurses contemplate joining the ongoing doctors' strike. The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) is preparing to potentially commence a strike if the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) does not uphold the terms agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) within the next week.
KNUN has arranged a meeting of its governing council to discuss and potentially authorize a strike notice. This decision comes in response to what the union characterizes as the government's slow response in addressing their concerns regarding compensation and working conditions.
The impending strike by nurses adds further strain to the healthcare system, already under pressure due to the ongoing strike by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU). The KMPDU has expressed readiness to end their strike if the government agrees to sign a return-to-work formula that meets the union's demands.
The possible combined action by these essential healthcare providers threatens to severely disrupt healthcare services in the country, impacting thousands of patients and placing significant strain on non-striking medical personnel and facilities. Both unions are advocating for solutions that guarantee improved working conditions and fair compensation, underscoring the systemic challenges faced by healthcare workers in Kenya. The government's response in the forthcoming days will be pivotal in shaping the outcome of these healthcare crises.
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