For the second week now, the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital is not treating patients due to a strike by health workers.
The governor of Meru County, Peter Munya, last week revealed that his government had settled the health workers' salaries arrears by September 1. However, medical staff at the hospital, especially the nurses, say that issues they had raised with the county government were more than just salaries. They want all their grievances addressed before they can resume work.
Governor Peter Munya's government has termed the strike illegal and politically instigated. Mr. Munya says that his government will discipline workers who stay out of work.
Patients are now being treated at Private hospitals. Several mission hospitals namely, Nkubu, Kiirua and Chaaria have been stretched to capacity as patients look for alternatives.
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Some of the grievances raised by the health workers include poor working conditions, lack of promotions, unnecessary transfers, salary delays, lack of promotions and annual salary increments. They now want the county government to sit with them and draft a workable return to work formula before they can resume their duties.
