The healthcare sector faces potential further disruptions as nurses contemplate joining the ongoing doctors’ strike in Kenya. The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) is gearing up to potentially initiate a strike if the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) fails to honor the terms outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) within the upcoming week.
KNUN is convening its governing council to deliberate and possibly authorize a strike notice. This move follows what the union perceives as the government’s sluggish response in addressing their grievances concerning compensation and working conditions.
The looming nurses’ strike compounds the strain on the healthcare system, already stretched thin due to the ongoing strike by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU). The KMPDU has signaled its willingness to halt their strike if the government agrees to endorse a return-to-work agreement that aligns with the union’s demands.
The potential joint action by these vital healthcare providers poses a serious threat to healthcare services in the country, affecting numerous patients and exerting significant pressure on non-striking medical personnel and facilities. Both unions are advocating for solutions that ensure better working conditions and equitable compensation, highlighting the systemic challenges confronting healthcare workers in Kenya. The government’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining the outcome of these healthcare crises.
