Embu County Governor Cecily Mbarire on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, recalled all medics on leave to report back to work amid an ongoing strike in the county.
Speaking after she toured the Embu Level Five Hospital, Mbarire assured locals that medical services are ongoing despite the 97 doctors under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) downing their tools on Tuesday night.
While condemning the timing of the strike, she stated that she has also since engaged the services of private and retired doctors to offer services as negotiations continue.
Further, the County boss asked doctors on contracts to resume duties arguing that they are not allowed to go on strike like their counterparts.
"We have engaged other doctors on locum bases to offer medical services as the strike continues. We have also written to all health workers on leave to report immediately and are hoping they will not intimidate those who want to continue working," Mbarire who was accompanied by MCAs and other County officials stated.
The medics proceeded on leave following the lapse of a 21-day strike notice issued to the county government.
The notice followed a failure by the county to implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on various concerns including job stagnation, shortage of doctors, non-remittance of statutory deductions and denial of study leave.
The doctors were also seeking a permanent and pensionable deal with the county.
