Nationwide strike launched by health workers over UHC delays
Health workers have initiated a nationwide strike across public hospitals, protesting delays regarding Universal Health Coverage (UHC) implementation.
Strike announcement and leadership
Leaders from key medical unions officially declared the industrial action following prolonged disputes regarding the rollout of the Universal Health Coverage framework. The decision follows a period of negotiations that failed to reach a resolution concerning worker demands and the timing of health reforms.
The announcement was delivered jointly by prominent union representatives, including:
- Peterson Wachira, Chairperson of the Kenya Union of County Health Organisations (KUCO)
- Brown Ashira, Secretary General of the Kenya Health Professionals and Hospital Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU)
- George Gibore, Secretary General of KUCO
Impact on public healthcare services
The coordinated industrial action is expected to affect service delivery within the public hospital system. As workers withdraw their labour, patients attending state-run facilities may face disruptions to routine consultations, emergency services, and specialist treatments.
The primary driver behind the strike is the perceived delay in the implementation of the UHC programme, which workers argue is essential for both patient care and the stability of the healthcare workforce. The unions maintain that the current pace of reform fails to address the practical realities faced by medical staff on the ground.
Union demands and UHC status
While specific timelines for the cessation of the strike have not been finalised, the union leadership indicated that the action will continue until the government provides clear answers regarding the UHC transition. The healthcare workers seek certainty regarding how the new coverage model will impact hospital funding, staff deployment, and medical supplies.
The strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dialogue between health professionals and the government. Public health officials are expected to face increasing pressure to resolve the impasse to prevent a prolonged shutdown of essential medical services across the country.
