KMPDU officials led by secretary general Davji Atellah /FILE




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The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has welcomed the end of the 41-day nationwide nurses' strike, saying the return of nurses to public hospitals will ease pressure on doctors and other healthcare workers.

KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah congratulated the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) for reaching an agreement that ended the strike on Wednesday.

KNUNM Secretary-General Seth Panyako called off the strike, which began on July 29, and directed nurses to resume duty immediately or within 24 hours.

In a statement, KMPDU said the agreement was an important step for Kenya's healthcare system and millions of patients who depend on public hospitals.

“We welcome and congratulate the Council of Governors and the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives on reaching an agreement that has brought the over 40 days nationwide nurses' strike to an end,” the union said.

KMPDU said it stood in solidarity with nurses during the dispute, noting that healthcare workers needed better working conditions for the health system to function effectively.

“The return of nurses to our hospitals will help ease the immense pressure that has been placed on doctors and other healthcare workers over the past 40-plus days,” the union said.

The nurses' strike disrupted services in public hospitals, with patients facing delays and reduced services. Doctors had also warned that they were becoming overburdened as they dealt with the effects of the nurses' absence.

Atellah had issued a seven-day ultimatum, warning that doctors could join the strike if the nurses' grievances were not resolved. He said doctors could not continue performing nursing duties.

KMPDU has now urged all parties to honour the commitments reached and address the underlying challenges facing healthcare workers to prevent another prolonged dispute.

The union also congratulated the Council of Governors for helping resolve the impasse and thanked healthcare workers who continued serving patients during the strike.

“To our nurses: welcome back. Your contribution to patient care is indispensable, and your colleagues stand with you,” KMPDU said.

The union said the focus should now return to providing healthcare services and saving lives.