Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Secretary-General Ouma Oluga (center) addressing the press. PHOTO: nation.co.ke
Doctors will be paid for the three months they were on strike, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
Uhuru said the Government will do so even though they did not work and many Kenyans seeking services in public hospitals suffered at the time. He urged governors to also pay doctors working in their hospitals.
The President said it was unfortunate that people who have been educated by taxpayers and taken an oath to treat patients without favour, violated it, leading to suffering.
President Kenyatta spoke when he toured Kiambu County on Wednesday where he thanked residents for heeding his call to register as voters in huge numbers.
The President said although workers have a right to go on strike, doctors should have been more responsible to save lives rather than let Kenyans die because of a ‘’salary increase’’.
“Can we bring back to life those who died because of lack of medical care during the doctor’s strike?’’ Uhuru asked.
He said though he said doctors be paid for the period they did not work, he would not be magnanimous if another strike is called.
“You took an oath to treat patients whether it is day or night; you swore to save life with or without money,’’ he said.
The President said the Jubilee administration has worked hard to improve health services by making sure each county has two well equipped hospitals.
He said through the Managed Equipment Services project, Kenya’s healthcare has been transformed and Kenyans can now access specialised healthcare services near them.
The President also singled out the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), saying it has been improved to be the insurance for all Kenyans.
Today all public servants and wananchi who are ensured through NHIF are able to access the best healthcare without any problem.