Kenya’s public hospital doctors have opted to end their nearly two-month nationwide strike, citing a decision to trust the government to address the issues prompting the strike. These concerns mainly center around inadequate pay and working conditions, as confirmed by Davji Atellah, the union secretary general, on May 8.
The decision to return to work follows a directive from a Kenyan labour court on May 7, giving doctors and the government a 48-hour ultimatum to finalize a return-to-work agreement. Failure to comply would have led to the court intervening in the matter.
Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha acknowledged the doctors’ effective negotiation skills, noting that they had put up a considerable fight. The resolution of the strike brings relief to millions of Kenyans reliant on public hospitals, which had been severely impacted by the strike.
Some hospitals had resorted to hiring temporary doctors to manage emergency services during the strike period. This development marks a significant step in improving access to healthcare services across the country.
This strike is reminiscent of the 2017 100-day strike by doctors in Kenya, which remains the longest in the nation’s history. It underscores persistent challenges in the healthcare sector, including the need for better wages and improvements in public health infrastructure.
Additionally, Kenya is currently grappling with the aftermath of widespread flooding, affecting over 235,000 people since the onset of the rainy season in mid-March.
