Editor's Review

  • Ministry of Labour has issued orders to help stop doctors strike
  • On Thursday CS Simon Chelugui asked doctors to suspend the strike as the government ordered Kemsa to release PPEs

The Labour Ministry has jumped in to stop the looming doctors strike scheduled for December 7 2020

On Thursday MoL issued a statement ordering the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) to release personal protective equipment (PPE) worth Ksh 3 billion to health workers.

The statement signed by CS Simon Chelugui also urged the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to offer the medical scheme to all public servants working for the national government.

In addition, the statement directed the county governments to hasten the process of ensuring all health workers in the county levels are provided with a medical cover.

"I wish to reiterate that the government is committed to addressing the issues raised by medical workers and therefore call upon the unions to engage with their employers and deliberately their grievances...," CS Chelugui's statement added.

His statement comes in the backdrop of a looming strike by doctors who raised concerns on their safety, health insurance, and staffing as they fight COVID-19.

The threat comes after at least 10 doctors died from the virus this month.