Five unions and Kenya Health Professionals Society were represented
NAIROBI, April 12 (NNN-KBC) — Kenyan healthcare unions and societies have threatened to down their tools within seven days over delayed salaries and non-remittance of statutory deductions.
In a joint statement, health workers and professionals who include doctors, nurses, clinical officers, pharmaceutical technologists, nutritionists and dieticians revealed that 40 counties had not paid them, a trend they described as worrying.
The few that have managed to pay salaries have reportedly made arrangements with banks for overdrafts and loans.
Through their unions, the healthcare workers regretted that 10 years since the health function was devolved, no proper framework has been established to ensure healthcare services function efficiently and effectively.
KMPDU secretary general Dr Davji Atellah said they were tired of numerous blame games between national and county governments concerning finances, drug and equipment acquisition, and employment of healthcare workers which have led to the detriment of the healthcare service delivery.
The health workers have consequently made a raft of demands among them the immediate release of funds to counties by the National government and the establishment of a mechanism to pay healthcare workers directly from a central point.
“A budget should be set aside for annual recruitment of 20,000 additional healthcare workers as promised to Kenyans,” said Dr Atellah.
Other demands include the constitution of a joint national task force by the Ministry of Health to conduct a health audit and provide long-term solutions to the numerous challenges facing health service delivery in Kenya.
Kenya Union of Clinical Officers chairperson Peterson Wachira regretted the unfolding events as a result of the cash crunch that has paralysed operations in the counties which are owed by Treasury a whooping Ksh.92 billion for the financial year 2022/2023.
“This worrying delay is a historical problem since devolution which continues to cripple operations in the counties. This blame game is unwarranted and does not serve the interest of anyone especially the sick who need the health services as enshrined in the constitution” he said.
Five unions and Kenya Health Professionals Society were represented.
Civil servants have not received their April salaries amid a worsening economic situation in the country. — NNN-KBC