Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has urged counties to find a lasting solution to doctors strikes.
Ranguma said threatening striking doctors is not the right way to address the matter, and instead urged his fellow governors to follow his footsteps, by promoting the health workers as well as initiating dialogue.
He said his county had not experienced the strikes ever since he addressed the workers' grievances two years ago.
“After the promotions, I have never had a problem and whenever I hear of something from the union leaders, I sit down and listen to them,” said Ranguma.
Ranguma, who is also the Council of Governors (CoG) Health Committee chairman, said there are better ways of addressing the issue of striking doctors rather than threatening to send them home whenever they have a problem with county administrations.
He further called upon counties to outsource for funds to support the healthcare sector.
“We have a shortage of doctors and issuing threats should be the last resort. Our doctors need the best. We should treat them like any other employee.”
“It is very heartbreaking to see people dying because doctors are not in hospitals due to promotions and salary complaints,” he said, as quoted by Nation.
The affected counties include Nairobi, Tharaka-Nithi, Busia, Kakamega, Migori, Laikipia, Embu, Nandi, Nakuru, Nyeri, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kakamega and Busia.