Medics in Machakos have issued a seven-day strike notice to the county government. The health practitioners are scheduled to start their strike on Monday, July 17, 2023.
According to the medics' leadership, the county government has failed to address issues of lack of supplies in county hospitals and promotions for the workers.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses Treasurer Machakos branch Ann Wanyaga says the county government has failed to address their issues despite several agreements.
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"I will tell you that we have engaged with the previous and current county government and none of our issues have been addressed," Wanyaga said.
She said the current county government had requested time, from April to June, to address their issues which are unsolved to date.
She said there are no supplies needed to attend to patients in the hospital, which according to her is demotivating them.
"We have to send patients to buy things so that we can offer services to them, and it is demotivating to us as health workers," Wanyaga said.
Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union chair for Lower Eastern Dr Charles Okumu added that the lack of basic supplies has put the medics in a difficult position.
Okumu also noted that two weeks ago, they issued a notice to the county government concerning the same issue, including the promotion of health workers.
"Healthcare workers like some nurses have been working for over 15 years without a promotion while the other cadres work for five years without promotion," Okumu said.
He said health workers held meetings with the county government inclusive of the county Governor Wavinya Ndeti prior to the notice.
Okumu has urged Machakos residents to prepare to seek services from the neighbouring counties, where health workers will still be working.
Okumu stated their union members have given the county government a stern warning that without a serious meaningful engagement or any tangible results, they will then go on strike.
"Our members have said that they shall take themselves to strike even without our command after the elapse of the notice given to the county government," Okumu said.
