Since March 15, 2024, Kenya has been engulfed in a significant strike by its medical staff. This mobilization, far from being an isolated phenomenon, reflects a deep unease within the health sector. Doctors, pushed to their limits, face a moral and professional dilemma: to continue working despite the lack of remuneration and precarious working conditions, or to stop their activity to force the government to fulfill its responsibilities.
Salary and Recognition at the Heart of the Conflict
The primary and main demand of the strikers concerns the chronic delay in salaries. These health professionals are not asking for the impossible but simply for the strict respect of commitments made since 2017, in a collective agreement that remains largely ignored. This situation recalls similar issues in other regions of Africa, suggesting a systemic problem that transcends national borders.
Staff Shortage: A System at Breaking Point
The strike also highlights the glaring shortage of medical personnel in Kenyan public hospitals. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of hiring of trainee doctors, contributing to the overwork of the incumbent practitioners and the degradation of health services. The lack of investment in recruiting and training medical personnel severely compromises the quality of care provided to patients.
A Crisis of Trust in Public Institutions
The lack of trust in public institutions, whether hospitals or schools, indicates a deeper malaise within society. The prevailing skepticism is fueled by repeated incidents where the quality of care is questioned, illustrating a deterioration of public services.
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Working Conditions: In Search of Dignity
Doctors demand significant improvements in their working conditions. They require adequate medical insurance coverage for themselves and their families, reflecting the service they provide to the community. This demand underscores the need for recognition and respect for health professionals, who aspire to practice their profession under dignified conditions.
Underfunding of the Health Sector: A Systemic Problem
The strike by Kenyan doctors highlights the chronic underfunding of the health sector. This lack of financial resources leads not only to payment delays but also to an inability to improve working conditions and hire the necessary staff. Corruption and poor budget management are the two main factors contributing to this disastrous situation.
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The Exodus of Skills: An Alarming Consequence
A particularly striking aspect of this crisis is the comparison between the salaries of doctors in Kenya and those of Kenyan domestic workers in the Middle East. This wage disparity encourages many Kenyans to seek better opportunities abroad, exacerbating the brain drain problem and leaving the country with an even greater shortage of qualified professionals.
The Call to Action: Recognize and Value Local Talent
The case of Kenya is symptomatic of a broader problem in Africa, where local talent and innovation struggle to be recognized and valued. Talented young Kenyans, like those who have developed innovative technologies, often remain unsupported, reflecting a lack of investment in the continent’s human potential.
The strike by Kenyan doctors is not just a matter of salary or working conditions; it is indicative of a profound unease in the management of the health sector and in the valorization of professionals and talents in Africa. This event should serve as a catalyst for significant reforms, ensuring fair remuneration, better working conditions for health professionals, and increased support for local innovation.
Totally inspired by the video of Zack Mwekassa
