By BRIAN MUSYOKA
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has confirmed that their planned nationwide strike will begin at midnight on Sunday, January 19. This comes after the expiry of a 14-day strike notice issued over grievances related to discrimination by the Social Health Authority (SHA) and unmet terms of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
KUCO Secretary General, George Gibore, criticized SHA for allegedly blocking facilities owned by clinical officers from receiving patients registered under the authority. He also accused SHA of failing to empanel these facilities, which is crucial for pre-authorization and the provision of healthcare services.
“They are imposing unjustified regulations requiring facilities run by clinical officers to undergo a second registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) before they can treat patients,” Gibore stated during a meeting at Embu Level Five Hospital on Friday. He warned that such policies would hinder service delivery, leaving thousands of patients without access to essential healthcare.
National Trustee Moses Baiyenia accused certain members within KMPDC of acting as gatekeepers, effectively barring clinical officers from offering services under SHA. He decried the influence of these "cartels" and called for the dismissal of Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Denorah Barasa for failing to address the issue.
On the CBA, Gibore pointed out that many counties have failed to promote clinical officers or convert their contracts into permanent positions, as agreed in a court-filed agreement last year.
“We have been mobilizing our members nationwide, preparing for this strike because the government has shown no commitment to resolving our issues,” he remarked.
Embu Branch Secretary, James Nyaga, expressed solidarity with the nationwide action, affirming that clinical officers in Embu would fully participate in the strike.
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