The 122 medical doctors in Kilifi County have issued a 21-day strike notice, as they demand for a salary increase and promotions to higher job groups.

speaking during a press briefing in Kilifi on December 8, the doctors urged Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro to act on their grievances, failure to which they will paralyze medical services in the county.

Through their union, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the doctors raised various grievances including lack of promotions, delayed salaries, and poor working conditions.

Led by KMPDU Coast branch chairman Dr Niko Kimanga Gichana, the doctors now want governor Mung’aro to promote them to higher job groups and raise their pay claiming that the last promotion review was done in 2014.

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At the same time, Dr Gichana stated that the County administration had demonstrated unwillingness to address issues raised by the doctors for several years.

“These are doctors we should keep but we are trying to drive them away.

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“Some of our doctors do not even have comprehensive medical cover especially those who were recently employed,” he said.

He called on Kilifi residents to stand in solidarity with the doctors so that they can get the basic compensation they deserve.

For instance, if the doctors commence the strike, key services at health facilities such as the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, the Malindi, Mtwapa and the Mariakani Sub County hospitals will be interrupted.

“122 doctors working in Kilifi, Malindi, Mariakani, Mtwapa and Rabai health facilities are serving in jobs that are inferior to their level of specialization, for their years of practice,” he said.

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Additionally, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC) Dr David Kariuki urged employers of doctors in both public and private sector to enhance the welfare of doctors to boost their working morale.

“Employers both government and private should provide a safe working place and a special insurance cover for medical doctors so that they can provide services conformably,” he said.