Doctors in Kenya’s public hospitals launched a nationwide strike on Thursday. They accuse the government of failing to uphold a 2017 agreement that addressed pay, working conditions, and staffing shortages. This isn’t the first such action; a similar 100-day strike in 2017 resulted in tragic deaths due to lack of care.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) demands better healthcare coverage for doctors and the deployment of 1,200 promised medical interns. The union leader, Dr. Davji Bhimji, claims 4,000 doctors joined the strike, defying a court order for negotiations. He justifies this by accusing the government of also ignoring court rulings on doctor pay and reinstatement.
The strike has a crippling effect, turning away many patients. Dr. Dennis Miskellah, another union leader, highlights the crucial role of interns who make up nearly a third of the workforce. He blames the government’s inaction for doctor burnout and lack of healthcare access, even forcing some to fundraise for their own medical needs.
This crisis is felt nationwide, with patients like Pauline Wanjiru turned away from hospitals even for serious injuries. The doctors’ demands echo those from the 2017 strike: better pay, improved facilities, and a robust healthcare system to address staff shortages. Back then, doctor salaries were shockingly low compared to other professions with less training.