A public hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, has made the decision to lay off 100 doctors who are participating in a nationwide strike that has been ongoing for nearly a month. The Kenyatta University Referral Hospital announced the lay-offs on Tuesday, stating that new doctors have been hired to replace those on strike.
The strike, initiated by doctors in mid-March, is primarily focused on demanding improved pay and working conditions. President William Ruto recently addressed the issue, citing financial constraints as the reason for the government's inability to meet the doctors' demands. Ruto emphasized the need to live within the country's means and expressed the challenges of borrowing money to cover salary expenses.
Despite the government's stance, the doctors' union has remained steadfast in its demands. In a show of solidarity, hundreds of doctors engaged in protests and submitted a petition to parliament, urging lawmakers to intervene in the ongoing labor dispute.
This strike is not the first of its kind in Kenya. In 2017, doctors engaged in a 100-day strike that resulted in fatalities due to the lack of medical care. The strike concluded with an agreement between the doctors' union and the government to enhance doctors' salaries. However, doctors now claim that certain aspects of the 2017 agreement have not been implemented.
The situation remains tense as doctors continue to push for better pay and working conditions amidst the government's financial constraints. The healthcare sector in Kenya is facing significant challenges, and the resolution of this labor dispute is crucial to ensuring the provision of quality medical services to the population.
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