Health

Clinical officers call off strike

clinical officers

Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers George Gibore (centre) and other officials address the press at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on September 18, 2017. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Clinical officers have called off their strike after signing a return-to-work formula with governors and the Health ministry.

This is after spending close to 20 days on the streets protesting against the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s (SRC) new cadres after job evaluation.

Speaking at Afya House on Thursday, Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers George Gibore gave their members until Monday to resume duty.

“We are not going back to work because we are happy, but because this is the beginning of having our issues addressed,” said Mr Gibore.

“We are still not happy with SRC’s grading and ask you, our employer, to look into the matter,” added Gibore.

Financial strain

Mr Gibore noted that despite being on strike, the clinical officers, just like the rest of the public, were financially straining to access treatment in private facilities.

By calling off the strike and resuming duty, the public will now be able to access services in the affordable public facilities.

However, the clinical officers will only be able to offer outpatient services as they wait for the nurses who bear the burden of inpatient services to call off their industrial action.

READ: Nurses strike: The long struggle for better pay

Health Cabinet Secretary also called on the striking nurses to follow in the footsteps of their colleague and go back to the negotiating table to iron out the differences they have with their employer.