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Strike-hit Kenya says will not hire foreign doctors

Xinhua, January 14, 2017 Adjust font size:

Kenya's health minister on Friday ruled out the recruitment of new foreign medical doctors following the ongoing strike by medics in the country.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Cleopa Mailu said the government is not in a hurry to replace the striking medics since 40 percent of doctors are working across the country.

"We are still exploring all possible options toward reaching an amicable solution to ensure that activities resume in all public health facilities," Mailu told journalists in Nairobi.

Mailu apologized to Kenyans following the strike that has disrupted activities in most public health facilities.

He appealed to Kenyans to seek treatment in prison's and faith-based organization's (FBOs) health facilities pending the negotiations with the doctors.

The government has engaged over 2,000 FBOs health facilities to provide delivery and emergency services, through the expanded free maternity program.

Mailu urged all FBOs to register with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to help reduce the impact by the striking doctors.

"We are working round the clock in helping avoid deaths, including engaging the over 10,000 doctors who are not members of the umbrella union," he added.

Mailu noted that 6,000 public health facilities are operational since December 4, 2016 under care of clinical officers, nurses and trainees from the Kenya Medical Training Colleges.

The official said that with the opening of medical schools in mid January, specialist consultants will be readily available to provide much-needed services in teaching hospitals at Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching Referral Hospital.

Mailu said the ministry is incapable of negotiating salary review since the role falls under the mandate of the Public Service Commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

"Both the national and county governments remain committed to continue negotiations with doctors within the confines of the law, to ensure Kenyans have access to the health services of the highest attainable quality," he added.

Several negotiation meetings between the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Doctors Union (KMPDU), national and county governments and other key stakeholders have taken place and are still ongoing.

The striking doctors are demanding a 300-percent salary increase among other benefits and have since defied a court directive to call off the strike. Endit