Siaya Steps Up Efforts to Resolve Health Sector Labour Challenges
By Shammah Oketch
The County Government of Siaya today held a consultative meeting with stakeholders in the health sector to deliberate on labour relations issues affecting the department and to identify measures to ensure uninterrupted service delivery across health facilities.
Discussions focused on labour-related challenges in the health sector, including the ongoing industrial action involving four cadres of health workers: doctors, nurses, laboratory technologists and clinical officers.
Among the key issues raised were the payment of salaries, outstanding salary arrears and medical insurance. These remain priority areas requiring attention in the ongoing engagements between the County Government, health workers and their unions.
Earlier this year, the County Government, through the County Public Service Board, advertised 105 positions in the health sector, including 55 nursing posts. Interviews were conducted in March, and successful candidates are currently awaiting the release of their appointment letters to facilitate deployment.
To support ongoing negotiations with the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), the County Health Relations Committee and the Chief Officer for Health were tasked with providing the union with a stakeholder report on medical insurance. They will also engage the union on measures to resolve outstanding concerns and call off the strike.
Regarding salary payments, officials resolved that formal communication would be issued on the status of outstanding payments and related matters.
To strengthen labour relations, the CECM for Governance, Administration and ICT was tasked with urgently preparing a Cabinet Paper addressing the perennial challenges surrounding engagement with trade unions and establishing a more structured approach to union relations.
The Human Resources Directorate will provide an integration report on Unified Payroll Numbers (UPNs), while the Department of Health will submit an updated report on the status of service delivery across all health facilities in the county.
These resolutions are expected to strengthen engagement between the County Government, health workers and their unions, while supporting the continuity of healthcare services for residents of Siaya County.
The meeting, held at the Governor’s Boardroom, brought together Acting County Secretary Ms Elizabeth Adongo, CECM for Governance, Administration and ICT Mr. Joseph Rading Otieno, Chief Officer for Governance and Administration Hon. Walter Okelo, Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Dr Samuel Omondi Owino, and Director of Medical Services Ms Eunice Fwaya, among other officials.