The Meru County government has responded to claims of an impending doctors’ strike following a meeting with national officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
Speaking at the County headquarters, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Dr Dennis Mugambi, said the meeting was convened to address concerns that had led to the issuance of a strike notice.
He was accompanied by Acting County Secretary David Baariu.
“We have had a successful meeting with doctors and their national leaders from the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union who came here because of the issues being discussed about the strike,” said Dr Mugambi.
Dr Mugambi said one of the key issues discussed was promotions.
He explained that when Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia assumed office, he found 450 promotion letters that had not been effected in the doctors’ payslips.
He noted that the governor authorized their implementation and the adjustments were made.
He added that two weeks ago, the county advertised positions for promotions and new recruitment of doctors and other health practitioners, noting that the process is currently ongoing at the County Public Service Board.
“Already the process is ongoing within the County Public Service Board. We hope that within one month, the interviews will have been completed and the letters issued,” said Dr Mugambi.
On salaries, the Health CECM maintained that there has been no delay in paying county staff.
He acknowledged concerns over loan deductions that had not been remitted to financial institutions on time during former Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s term but said the county has since cleared the arrears and regularized the process.
“There is no single staff member of the Meru County government who has loan arrears because all the arrears have been paid,” he said.
In addition, Dr Mugambi said medical insurance for county workers was discussed, noting that all employees are covered.
He further stated that the county is supporting doctors seeking further studies to become specialists, adding that nineteen doctors have already been allowed to return to universities within Kenya to advance their studies.
Nonetheless, Dr Mugambi noted that the meeting also addressed the issue of doctors working under contract terms, with both sides agreeing to find a way to ensure they are paid in line with the appropriate job terms.
Acting County Secretary David Baariu said the meeting, which began in the morning and lasted several hours, focused on resolving the issues raised in the strike notice.
He assured Meru residents that they had reached a consensus on what is to be done.
“In that meeting, we discussed many issues concerning the strike notice that had been issued. I want to assure the people of Meru that we have agreed on what is to be done and when it will be done,” said Baariu.
Baariu said the current administration inherited a system where staff concerns were not being adequately addressed but maintained that the situation has since changed.
“When Governor Mutuma took over the government, these issues began to be addressed because he is listening to the staff. He has brought peace and a better working environment,” he said.
He appealed to medical practitioners to remain patient for one month as the county works to implement the agreed measures, saying timelines have been set to address the concerns raised.
Edited by John Majau
