GOVERNOR LOMORUKAI HOLDS TALKS WITH PROTESTING HEALTH WORKERS, CALLS FOR RETURN TO WORK

Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai met with a group of medical practitioners today and requested for an end to the ongoing strike as the county seeks to address their concerns.

The doctors were protesting over delayed promotions, nonpayment of salaries for newly appointed medical staff, and redesignation, among other issues.

Speaking at the County Headquarters in Lodwar, the Governor reminded the practitioners of their significance in delivering his agenda 4 (Provision of Health and Sanitation Services), assuring them that the ministry is going to resolve the issues raised so that service delivery is not hampered.

Just to give a glimpse of what the Health Ministry has been able to achieve thus far, he informed that, 119 staff have been employed and posted. He also offered that, “we are currently processing promotions for 733 healthcare staff.”

While addressing those demonstrating, H.E. assured, “I am committed to ensuring the seamless delivery of health services.”

However he expressed concern about interruptions noting that, “I am against the idea of critical service providers absconding duty since promotions don’t require such protests to be effected.”

“We are gravitating towards streamlining the process such that promotions are promptly handed to deserving staff,” he informed.

The Governor clarified that, salary delays for recently recruited staff is attributed to delays in processing staff personal numbers by the Public Service Commission in Nairobi. He directed the County Human Resources Department to expedite the process for the affected officers to get their salaries.

He also outlined further efforts to improve service delivery in the health sector, citing the recent conversion of 140 medical workers from contract to permanent and pensionable terms, promotion of 407 staff, and the employment of casual workers in Lodwar County Referral Hospital and Kanamkemer Sub-County Hospital, among other initiatives.

Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel urged doctors to resume work and assured them of ongoing efforts to address their grievances. His counterpart, Peter Lomorukai (Preventive and Promotive Services), was in acquiescence.

County Public Service Board Commissioner Dr. (Rtd) Daniel Nawose revealed that Turkana County had implemented over 90 percent of the 2017 CBA signed with the doctors union KMPDU, assuring the prompt processing of promotions.

Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus, Deputy County Secretary Joseph Nyang’a, TCPSB CEO Francisca Bartoo and CCO Office of the Governor Paul Lodung’a were also present.