Machakos Medics To Strike Over Lack Of Supplies & Promotions

Health workers in Machakos County have issued a seven-day strike notice to the county government. The strike is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 17, 2023, if the county government does not address their concerns.

The medics are demanding that the county government provide them with adequate supplies and promote them to their rightful positions. They say that the lack of supplies has made it difficult for them to provide quality care to patients, and that the lack of promotions has demoralized them.

The Kenya National Union of Nurses Treasurer Machakos branch, Ann Wanyaga, said that the county government has failed to address their concerns despite several agreements. She said that the current county government had requested time, from April to June, to address their issues, but that these issues have not been solved.

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union chair for Lower Eastern, Dr Charles Okumu, added that the lack of basic supplies has put the medics in a difficult position. He said that two weeks ago, they issued a notice to the county government concerning the same issue, including the promotion of health workers.

The strike is expected to have a significant impact on healthcare in Machakos County. If the strike goes ahead, it will mean that patients will have to travel to other counties for treatment.

The county government has not yet responded to the strike notice.