Medical doctors advocating for their rights spent a significant part of Monday night outdoors in the cold. Videos and photos shared by the Star depicted healthcare professionals sleeping on the ground outside the gates of Afya House.
Reports indicate they remained there for several hours before departing. Dr. Atieno Ochieng’, one of the participants in the demonstrations, mentioned receiving support from donors who provided food items. She affirmed their commitment to advocating for their rights until all medical interns are assigned to their postings.
“The love we’ve received tonight is beyond what we imagined. Thank you to everyone who Stood up for our nation. We continue to occupy @MOH_Kenya until all the medical interns are posted,” Atieno said.
The medical interns had spent the better part of the day at MoH in a bid to push the government to post them.
The group accused the government of not honouring the Collective Bargaining Agreement that required the State to post them upon completion of the internship.
“The state has turned duly trained medics into street dwellers. The Ministry of Health whose mandate is ensuring a functioning health system has failed us too ” said Ochieng’.
During yesterday’s demonstrations, the healthcare professionals emphasized their entitlement to be assigned to positions within 30 days of completing their studies, as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU). They have pledged to persist until the government addresses their demands.
