The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board on Friday warned striking doctors against interfering with operations in private and mission hospitals.
The Board chair, George Magoha, warned the doctors against such action saying that the move will not only interfere with the management and operations of private entities but also interfere with the constitutional rights of the public to access healthcare services under Article 43 (1) (a) and also the right to access emergency medical as stipulated in Article 43(2).
While pointing out the death of 20 patients linked to the ongoing medics’ strike, the Doctors’ and Dentists’ licensing board also demanded that the striking medics report back to work.
In a statement to newsrooms, the board has also demanded that the government spares no efforts in ensuring that anyone who attempts to interfere with the operations of private health institutions is dealt with decisively and in accordance with the law
“The Board strongly warns that we shall not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any medical or dental practitioner who will be reported to have contravened the provisions Constitution of Kenya (2010), the Doctors’ Code of Professional Conduct and Discipline, 6th Edition (2012) and the Kenya National Patients’ Rights Charter, 1st Edition (2013) Chapter 1 Para. 4, which provides that a patient’s right to access a health care provider of his/her choice shall not be unduly restricted by a third party,” read the statement in part.
While urging the Government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union to fast-track the ongoing negotiations in order to alleviate the suffering of Kenyans and avert further loss of lives, the board has urged health institutions to report to the Board or the police any person who threatens their employees or disrupts the operations of their institutions.
On Tuesday, doctors threatened a total shut down of all clinical services in private, mission and public health facilities for 24 hours next Tuesday if no deal will have been reached by Monday, December 12 mid night.
The doctors under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), said that the government has up to Jamhuri Day (Monday) to resolve the issues raised by the unions failure to which they will paralyze all the medical services.
This even as the medics strike enters its 5th day Friday with patients around the country missing medical services.
Talks between the Ministry of Health and the doctors’ union, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), aimed at ending the medics’ strike have since collapsed after union leaders pulled out demanding revocation of Labour Court’s rulingsummoning them for defying its order.
The doctors led by the Union’s Secretary General Ouma Oluga have vowed to continue with their strike until the government implements the 2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
-citizentv.co.ke
