NAIROBI, KENYA — After three weeks of industrial action, Kenya’s clinical officers have returned to work, bringing a halt to their nationwide strike. The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) announced the suspension following productive talks with the Ministry of Health, spearheaded by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa.
The strike, which commenced on February 18th, stemmed from several key grievances. Primarily, the clinical officers sought official integration into the Social Health Authority (SHA) framework. They also pressed for the implementation of their long-awaited Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which has remained unresolved since 2017.
Further demands included the immediate recognition and registration of all healthcare providers and practitioners certified by the Clinical Officers Council. KUCO also advocated for the SHA board to restore pre-authorization privileges to clinical officers, including specialists, ensuring they can effectively deliver necessary patient care.
The agreement reached between KUCO and the Ministry of Health signals a resolution to these disputes, allowing for the resumption of crucial healthcare services across Kenya.
“Over the past few weeks, our clinical officers and the Ministry of Health have engaged in extensive and progressive consultations with all relevant stakeholders in a bid to find an amicable resolution to the issues at hand,” said CS Barasa in a statement on Wednesday.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that following productive discussions, the clinical officers’ strike has been called off following negotiations between the Ministry of Health and the leadership of our clinical workers’ caucus.”
According to CS Barasa, the government remains committed to addressing key concerns raised by the clinical officers while ensuring that the healthcare needs of all Kenyans are met without disruption.
“Constructive engagement and collaboration remain the best ways to approach our resolve to address challenges we face currently and achieve sustainable solutions in the health sector,” noted the Health CS.
“I, therefore, thank all clinical officers who have willingly resolved to resume duty with immediate effect and urge them to continue working towards building a resilient, patient-centered healthcare system that guarantees quality and affordable care for all Kenyans.”
