The County Assembly Committee on Health led by chairperson Hon. Benard Ogutu received a petition by Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union Coast branch.
Dr. Ghalib Salim, a representative of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union – Coast Branch, presented the petition outlining 14 critical issues affecting the Mombasa County Healthcare System.
The issues included failure to redesignate doctors with master's degrees to Job Group Q as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Return to Work Formula (RTWF), non-remittance of statutory and third-party deductions, lack of comprehensive health insurance coverage, and discriminatory fixed contracts for some doctors.
The union representatives requested that the County Assembly directs the implementation of the CBA and RTWF, compel redesignation of qualified doctors, clear outstanding arrears, and investigate the differential employment terms violating the constitution.
Dr. Salim highlighted the dire situation regarding insurance coverage, emphasizing its importance and the county's obligation to provide the same. He discussed a past strike, ongoing promotion delays and non-remittance of deductions issues affecting over 140 doctors. Despite a court order, promotions to Job Group Q remained pending since 2020.
Ogutu requested Dr. Salim to submit relevant documents for further review by the County Assembly. Dr. Salim also expressed concern on disease outbreaks amidst the strike and the lack of comprehensive health coverage for healthcare workers.
Ogutu acknowledged the issues raised and stated that is need to analyze the infrastructure and working conditions, create a framework and timeline for addressing the matters and present a report to the County Assembly.
Nominated MCA Milka Moraa emphasized the unfairness of denying doctors payslips and insurance coverage, as well as the excessive workload of 60 hours and called for prompt action to resolve the issues and ensure that doctors return to work.
Dr. Salim reiterated the doctors desire to work but emphasized the need for their concerns to be addressed for effective service delivery.
Ogutu assured the doctors of the committee's support and promised to engage relevant stakeholders including County Public Service Board, the Administration and CEC Health, to find amicable solutions.
The committee resolved to expedite actions to restore insurance coverage and address doctors grievances to ensure good working conditions.
The vice-Chairperson Health Hon. Fatuma Mote, Hon. Ahmed Khamis, Hon. Frankline Makanga, Hon. Mohammed Ulher and the committee secretariat were in attendance.
