Access to health services at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret might soon be disrupted. This is after doctors at the country’s second-largest public hospital issued a 14-day strike notice.
In the notice issued by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentist Union (KMPDU), the doctors accuse the MTRH management of, among other things, extending unfair labour practices to them through irregular employment and contracts and denial of leave.
MTRH doctors’ medical scheme
They also claim they have no medical coverage since the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) lapsed.
“Doctors and their families have been forced to spend out of their pocket since the in-house scheme has a lot of inefficiencies occasioned by lack of essential drug supplies and long queues, and unavailability outside of Eldoret,” read part of the strike notice signed by KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah.
Another issue the MTRH doctors want addressed to avert the looming strike is the payment of their accrued salary arrears from the partial implementation of the appealed and approved SRC basic salary structure.
Failure to register the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is another issue also listed in the strike notice.
“MTRH management has failed in initiating the necessary procedures and allocation of requisite resources to ensure that the promotions are done,” the KMDPU boss said in the notice addressed to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Phillip Kirwa.
Does MTRH remit statutory deductions?
The doctors also accused the management of failing to remit third-party deductions to respective institutions including bank loans, investment policies, SACCO and pension deductions and Social Health Authority (SHA) for several months.
“Take notice that unless the issues herein are resolved within fourteen days of the date hereof, all doctors working in MTRH shall withdraw their services until the issues are resolved fully,” KMPDU said.
The notice is dated January 22, 2025.
