After weeks of negotiations, clinical officers have officially called off their strike following an agreement with the government. The Ministry of Health and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) reached a deal aimed at addressing the concerns that led to the strike.
Agreement Reached After Weeks of Talks
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and Labour CS Florence Bore oversaw the signing of the deal, which was reached after extensive consultations. The discussions involved various stakeholders, including representatives from KUCO, the Council of Governors, and other health sector officials.
“Over the past few weeks, our clinical officers and the Ministry of Health have engaged in extensive and progressive consultations with all relevant stakeholders in a bid to find an amicable resolution to the issues at hand,” said CS Barasa in a statement on Wednesday.
Key Issues That Led to the Strike
Clinical officers had downed their tools over several grievances, including salary delays, poor working conditions, and lack of promotions. They also demanded better healthcare policies and improved employment terms, arguing that their working environment had been neglected for too long.
The strike had significantly affected healthcare services across the country, with many hospitals struggling to provide essential medical care due to staff shortages. Patients in public hospitals faced long waiting times, while some were forced to seek treatment in private facilities at higher costs.
Terms of the Agreement
The signed deal outlines commitments by the government to address the clinical officers' concerns. Among the agreed-upon resolutions are:
Timely salary payments to ensure healthcare workers are compensated without delays.
Review of employment terms to provide better job security and career growth opportunities.
Improvement of working conditions in public healthcare facilities.
KUCO officials expressed optimism about the agreement but stated they would monitor its implementation closely. They emphasized that while the strike had ended, they would not hesitate to take further action if the government failed to honor its commitments.
Health Services Resume
Following the deal, clinical officers have returned to work, bringing relief to patients and hospitals across the country. The Ministry of Health assured the public that efforts were underway to restore normalcy in affected health facilities.
The resolution of the strike marks a significant step toward improving the healthcare sector, but it remains to be seen how effectively the government will fulfill its promises in the coming months.
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