KMPDU Demands Withdrawal of Medical Interns from Kiambu Amid Doctors’ Strike

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has issued a stern directive calling for the immediate withdrawal of all medical officer interns stationed in Kiambu County, citing unsafe working conditions exacerbated by an ongoing doctors’ strike.

In a strongly worded statement, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah warned that the industrial action in Kiambu has severely undermined the county’s healthcare services and rendered the medical training environment unfit for interns.

“Given the critical role of senior doctors in supervising, mentoring, and supporting interns, deploying interns in an environment where such support is absent puts both the interns and patients at risk,” said Dr. Atellah.

Unsafe Environment for Training

According to the union, the absence of qualified senior personnel due to the strike means that interns are being left without the essential guidance required under the internship program. This, they say, contravenes the established standards for medical training and exposes patients to unqualified care.

KMPDU is now urging the Ministry of Health to urgently transfer affected interns to other counties with fully operational healthcare systems and proper supervision mechanisms in place.

Worsening Healthcare Crisis in Kiambu

The doctors’ strike in Kiambu, which has dragged on for several weeks, stems from grievances over delayed salaries, deplorable working conditions, and persistent shortages of critical medical supplies. The impasse has caused widespread disruption to public health services across the county.

Despite repeated calls for intervention and negotiation, the standoff remains unresolved. The withdrawal of interns, if effected, is likely to worsen the staffing crisis in an already strained healthcare system.

Mounting Pressure on Kiambu Leadership

KMPDU’s demand increases pressure on the Kiambu County Government to urgently address the crisis and restore normalcy in the healthcare sector. Patients and healthcare advocates have voiced growing concern about safety risks in hospitals and the deteriorating morale among health professionals.

The future of medical internship training in the region now hangs in the balance, as national and county authorities are called upon to act decisively.

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KMPDU Demands Withdrawal of Medical Interns from Kiambu Amid Doctors’ Strike