KMPDU caught unaware after Kenya agree to hire 500 doctors from Tanzania

The doctors had refused all attempts to malign and even threaten them with sacking and demanded for the full implementation of the revised 2013 CBA which among other things called for better working conditions and better pay for Kenya’s overworked doctors.

Among the government’s favorite threat was to hire jobless Indian and Cuban doctors to replace those on strike, India later turned down President Uhuru Kenyatta’s request for the said doctors during his state visit to New Delhi early this year.

Also read: Those 100 days will remain as black pages in the history of medical practice in this country indeed so black....

After doctors ended their 100days strike, everyone thought it was all over but how wrong were they, details are now emerging that Tanzania has agreed to send 500 doctors to Kenya to help address medics’ shortage in the country, also mitigate effects of just-concluded strike.

"Tanzania has accepted Kenya's request for 500 doctors to help the country deal with a shortage of doctors at its medical centres following a doctors' strike," the statement from Magufuli's office said.

KMPDU has been swift in casting the move, through their secretary general, Ouma Oluga the doctors have termed the move ill-advised calling instead for the government to employee the more than 1000 unemployed doctors.

"Kenya has about 1,400 doctors awaiting employment. It would be very costly and therefore a show of imprudent public finance management to have 500 Tanzania doctors at Sh20,000 per day," he said.

Speaking to a local daily on Saturday, Oluga, said while they will welcome the Tanzanian doctors, and even recruit them to the union; due procedures which include examinations by the medical board must be followed to the letter.

He added the government has not been keen to address doctor's shortage which was outlined in the 2013 CBA.

“The cure is simply to take measures that encourage retention such as proper working terms and conditions," he pointed out.