KMPDU says doctors have not received risk allowances as promised

[File photo] KMPDU Deputy Secretary-General Mwachonda Chibanzi, Secretary-General Dr. Ouma Oluga and KMPDU National Chairman Dr. Samuel Oroko speaking to journalists at past event. (Photo: Wilberforce Okwiri/ Standard)
Kenya”More than a month now, we have not yet received the monies promised by the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC).”

The Kenya Medical Practitioner and Dentists Union now says that their members are yet to receive the welfare package that was promised by President Uhuru Kenyatta.Speaking during a weekly press briefing, the Union has decried the slow nature in which the funds are being processed by the government.“More than a month now, we have not yet received the monies promised by the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC). This is not just a concern but a demand that the government honors its pledge, “said Dr. Mwachonda Chibanzi, the Acting Secretary General KMPDU.The leaders however lauded the steps that Machakos County is undertaking by making sure the healthcare workers, who are on the first line of defence against Covid-19 are well remunerated. Similarly, KMPDU has urged Counties to increase the number of isolation beds to the minimum 300 beds as directed by the Ministry of Health. This including improvising with quality jua kali beds.“As it stands, our Counties are ill-prepared to handle coronavirus pandemic. We ask the Counties to speed up the implementation of this directive by the Covid-19 response Committee, “added Dr. Mwachonda.The Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe yesterday issued a directive that all counties should have a minimum of 300 beds in their isolation wards. This came after it emerged that many Counties do not have the necessary facilities to handle a possible surge in the coronavirus numbers.“Counties are hereby given 14 days to make sure they have at least 300 beds for isolation of Covid-19 patients, “directed CS KagweThe CS noted that many Counties are still lagging behind in preparations for spiking Covid-19 numbers. This was also an extension of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s observation.“If there is a surge in infections in these two counties, their healthcare systems will be overwhelmed, so the counties must move with speed to have at least 300 beds since it is just a matter of times before it explodes,” the President said.