Kenya’s healthcare crisis

Wednesday, 22 February 2017 8:06 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 22 February 2017 8:06 AM ]

Striking doctors hold placards and chant slogans outside the Court of Appeal in Nairobi as they pushed for the release of jailed officials of the national doctors' union as they demanded fulfilment of a 2013 agreement between their union and the government that would raise their pay and improve working conditions on February 15, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is facing one of the most significant challenges of his administration as thousands of medical staff enter a third month of strike action.

Kenya’s hospitals have almost ground to a halt, with millions being forced to look elsewhere for their medical needs as doctors strike over low pay and poor working conditions. Whilst tense negotiations continue, the government is keen to ensure this latest strike – heavily reminiscent of action from 2012 - does not further cripple the country’s healthcare system and collapse public trust in the faltering government.

Doctors on strike say the government has repeatedly backtracked on its promises to implement pay raises under an agreement signed in 2013. The president has laid the blame for over twenty deaths squarely at the feet of the striking medics but will apportioning blame, mudslinging and tough talk solve Kenya’s healthcare crisis?

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