After a 56-day nationwide strike, the Kenyan government and doctors’ union officials have finally signed a return-to-work formula, bringing an end to the healthcare crisis in Nairobi. The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) will now provide directions to medics on when to resume work.
During the televised signing ceremony, KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah expressed gratitude to all parties involved in the process. However, the intern doctors’ issue remains unresolved, with Dr Atellah mentioning that discussions will continue.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha acknowledged the challenging negotiations and expressed relief that the strike is over. She emphasized the government’s commitment to accelerating universal health coverage and addressing the concerns of patients and families affected by the strike.
The signing of the agreement comes after a 48-hour deadline from the Employment and Labour Relations Court. The court had threatened to intervene if the government and doctors failed to reach a resolution, highlighting the urgency of resolving the healthcare crisis.
