- KMPDU has accused the government of excluding doctors from Ebola preparedness efforts as Kenya’s confirmed cases rise to seven
- The union has warned of possible industrial action over salary adjustments and delayed SHA payments to hospitals
- The union's Secretary-General Davji Atellah plans to contest the Lang’ata parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election
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The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has accused the government of excluding doctors from Ebola preparedness and response efforts, raising concerns about healthcare workers’ safety as Kenya’s confirmed cases rise to seven.
Source: UGC
The union’s concerns emerged on Saturday, October 17, as the Ministry of Health confirmed four additional infections, including three healthcare workers who treated the first patient and a close male relative of the deceased. The latest cases brought the total to seven, including the first patient who died.
Speaking to journalists after a union meeting in Naivasha, KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah called on the Ministry of Health to involve doctors in containment efforts and provide adequate, quality protective equipment to safeguard frontline workers.
“The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has been excluded from the ongoing Ebola preparedness and response amid rising cases in the country,” Atellah said.
Kenyan medics decry shortage of Ebola protective equipment
He also urged the government to ensure people identified through contact tracing were isolated in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to minimise the risk of further transmission.
KMPDU National Chairman Abidan Mwachi criticised what he described as inadequate preparedness and shortages of protective equipment, warning that medical personnel could be exposed to the virus while caring for patients.
“We demand that the Ministry of Health involve doctors in the Ebola preparedness and response measures to contain the disease,” Mwachi said.
The union’s demands come as health authorities intensify contact tracing and monitor exposed individuals. The Ministry has said the risk to the general public remains low, with no evidence of community transmission reported in its latest update.
KMPDU raises concerns over doctors’ pay
Beyond the Ebola response, Atellah renewed calls for the government to honour its commitment to recruit more than 2,000 doctors, arguing that additional personnel would help improve access to healthcare and service delivery.
He warned that healthcare workers could go on strike if outstanding salary adjustment issues were not resolved by the end of October. According to Atellah, 29 counties had failed to implement previously agreed salary adjustments.
The union boss also raised concerns about delayed payments by the Social Health Authority (SHA) to healthcare facilities, warning that the outstanding issues could disrupt services if left unresolved.
“As a union, we will move to suspend all our services if the pending issues on salaries and delayed SHA remittances to hospitals are not addressed by the end of the year,” he said.
Did Atellah announce 2027 political ambitions?
Atellah also revealed plans to pursue further healthcare reforms through parliament.
In a related development, the union boss previously announced his intention to contest the Lang’ata parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
KMPDU backed his bid, arguing that his entry into elective politics could provide an opportunity to push for changes in the healthcare sector.
Source: TUKO.co.ke