The Nairobi Hospital has denied reports that the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have issued a strike notice over the welfare of its members. The facility insisted that it relies on consultant doctors under the umbrella of the Admitting Staff Association (ASA) who are not members of KMPDU.
Early in the week, the umbrella doctor’s union expressed concern that the welfare of a number of its members working in private institutions are resigning over poor working conditions, with others working under duress for fear of victimization.
However, soon after releasing a statement dismissing the claims, the Hospital Board said the doctors who work there are not employees of the institution. “They are independent contractors who use the Hospital’s facilities to treat their patients,” Dr. Chris Bichage, the Hospital Board chairman said during a meeting with journalists at the hospital boardroom.
There is a large pool of Consultants from whom a patient can access specialist care, he said and noted that the unavailability of a given consultant doctor is immediately covered by a doctor from the pool of consultant doctors.
“No patient will be neglected or at risk in any circumstances,” he said, responding to claims by the union. Dr. Bichage was categorical in the Union’s recent statement terming it a false allegation.
“Contrary to the allegations, no strike notice has been issued by the hospital’s doctors,” he stated, pointing out that the institution maintains an open and constructive dialogue with its medical staff.
He also asserted that the hospital remains fully operational and continues to provide quality healthcare services to all patients without disruption. Dr Bichage said the Hospital’s Management is engaging the Consultant Doctors on a continuous basis in a bid to ensure that its relations with them remain cordial as have existed over the years.
He also said that the Hospital’s Annual General Meeting which has been a bone of contention was held on December 4, 2024, allowing bonafide members of the KHA to participate. “Those who voted included the ASA Doctors and non-ASA members of the KHA.
“We urge the public, our partners and stakeholders to disregard any misleading information intended to cause unnecessary alarm,” he stated. We deeply appreciate the support we continue to receive from all our stakeholders including the media as we work to provide quality healthcare with a difference.
Over the last few days, there have been reports circulating on various social media platforms and sections of mainstream media about an alleged strike by doctors at the Hospital.
“As a Board of Management, we wish to inform all our stakeholders, partners, clients and the general public that the doctors of the Nairobi Hospital are not on strike.
“The Hospital’s operations are running smoothly and all our staff are working tirelessly to offer our patients excellent service,” said Acting Chief Executive Officer, Felix Osano, noting that The Nairobi Hospital is served by over six hundred specialist consultant doctors with admitting rights, in addition to the Hospital’s doctors.
On Monday, KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah claimed that the Hospital management has continued to harass and mistreat the Union’s members, reducing their medical cover in the name of financial constraints as stories of financial mismanagement spread along the corridors.
“The sweat of hardworking health workers is being enjoyed by a few people who have become overnight millionaires,” said Dr. Atellah.
The union vowed to mobilise its members to down their tools in seven days if the management did not meet their demands.
KMPDU called on members of the KHA, the ASA, Staff of the Nairobi Hospital and other government agencies, to rise up and “save the facility of choice from imminent closure and collapse.”
The Union also demanded the resignation of the entire board of directors led by their Chairperson, and the acting CEO.
