By Kevin Sang, Uasin Gishu
Business came to a standstill in Eldoret city after healthcare workers drawn from medical interns, clinical officers and nurses hold peaceful demonstrations pushing for payment of their dues and a better working environment.
The healthcare workers united by a shared cause, clutched placards that bore messages of hope and frustration. They were here to voice their grievances—financial constraints, poor working conditions, and the government’s failure to honor their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), particularly, on the payment of medics who were working as interns.
“We are here for our patients and for ourselves! We cannot provide the quality care our community deserves when we are struggling to make ends meet,” said Dr Kamunzi Mulee, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), North Rift region.
Dr Mulee added: “The medics have seen the impact of the government’s neglect taking toil on them. Many have been forced to take menial jobs just to support their families, leaving them exhausted and less effective in their roles.”
Nurses shared stories of working long hours in understaffed wards, facing the harsh reality of having to prioritize care due to lack of resources.
Beatrice Jepkoech, a nurse, emphasized on the dire situation, stating, “We have been left to fend for ourselves without any remuneration, and it has cost us dearly.” The devastating impact of these payment delays has led to calls for immediate action from the government to rectify the situation,”
In addition to payment grievances, the healthcare workers are opposed to the roll out of the new medical cover (SHA). Many are concerned that the new scheme does not provide adequate coverage for dental issues and other essential healthcare needs.
They are particularly disappointed with the financial limits imposed by SHIF, which reportedly covers only Sh10,000 for normal deliveries and Sh30,000 for cesarean sections. Sisusi added, “These amounts are insufficient for the realities of medical costs, and we feel the public was not adequately involved in this decision-making process.”
Jepkoech has called for the reinstatement of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which she claims provided better coverage, including treatment outside the country. “NHIF was a more comprehensive solution that met the needs of healthcare workers and their families,” she stated.
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