Atwoli tells Government to engage doctors in genuine talks

COTU General Secretary Francis Atwoli addressing NHIF Stakeholders meeting in Kisumu today. He has told the Govt to engage doctors on serious talks-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

 By Dickson Odhiambo

December 17, 2020

Atwoli tells Government to engage doctors in genuine talks

THE Central Organizations of Trade Unions has told the Government to fully engage doctors in talks over the issues bedeviling the medical fraternity.

Through its General Secretary Francis Atwoli, the Central Organizations of Trade Unions {COTU} says it was a mistake for the Constitution of Kenya 2010 to devolved both Health and land functions to the County Government.

Addressing the press in Kisumu today during the National Hospital Insurance Fund {NHIF} stakeholders meeting at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, COTU General Secretary the Government must try as much as possible to engage doctors so as to tell them what it can do and what it can’t.

Atwoli says what is important now is for the Government to engage the doctors in a very serious form of talks on the issue of salary and the allowances payments.

He says Doctors currently undergo risky assignments especially during this Corona virus pandemic hence the need to engage the medics.

“The best thing for the Government to do is to engage the medics and tell them what they do and what they can’t do currently. This is very important indeed,” Atwoli says.

Atwoli says the Government should come out clear and specify the time frame within which it will solve the issue of the doctors across the country but should be keeping quite.

He proposes that the Government should craft a new recognition agreement on engagement, adding that this will be surely understood.

He says the money might not be available now but the medics can be negotiated with to see the way forward on the issue at hand.

Atwoli at the same time says COTU has urged the government not to leave the Kenya National Union of Teachers to perish during the current regime under President Unhurt Kenyatta, adding that this will not augur well.

The Cotu Boss says this is an issue if picked up by the International Labour Organization{ILO} and International Trade Union Confederation and Kenya will be prosecuted in Geneva then he will be compelled to support such an initiative because he is an official in the two world Bodies.

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