Kirinyaga County nurses call off strike

A nurse monitors a baby at an Intensive Care Unit. Photo | Suleiman Mbatiah | NMG

What you need to know:

  • County boss Anne Waiguru last week said it was discussing a return to work formula with nurses.
  • Many patients had been forced to seek treatment in private clinics while those that could not afford the exorbitant medical fees stayed at home.
  • They resumed work after their representatives held a consultative meeting with County officials.

The suffering of patients in public hospitals and dispensaries in Kirinyaga County has come to an end after all 508 nurses in the devolved unit returned to work yesterday.

They resumed work after their representatives held a consultative meeting with County officials.

A spot check by Nation yesterday established that normal operations have kicked off in Kerugoya Level Five hospital.

Nurses were found busy attending to scores of patients who had flocked the facility seeking treatment.

The move comes just three days after the County boss, Anne Waiguru, announced that her government was discussing a return to work formula with the striking health workers.

"We are talking with the nurses in order to end the strike," Ms Waiguru said on Mashujaa Day.

Relief for patients

"We have come to the hospital for treatment because the nurses are now available. We have suffered so much since the nurses laid down their tools," said Ms Alice Wakuthii, a patient.

The nurses boycotted work demanding the implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA).

They have been away from their work stations for more than 100 days and paralysed essential health services.

Due to the protracted strike, many patients had been forced to seek treatment at private clinics while those that could not afford the exorbitant medical fees stayed at home.

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