𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐇𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦!

Clinical officers under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Programme have joined the ongoing nationwide strike, demanding permanent and pensionable employment. They argue that their current short-term contracts leave them earning only half of what their colleagues make, pushing them into financial hardship.These officers are among the 8,500 healthcare workers hired in 2020 to support universal health coverage and the fight against COVID-19. For five years, they claim to have endured exploitative contracts, with many missing gratuity payments and facing extreme financial strain.

Some have even resorted to taking their own lives due to job insecurity and unfair compensation.With their contracts set to expire in April 2026, they now face the looming threat of unemployment. The 2025-2026 budget policy statement does not include provisions for their continued employment, raising concerns over their future. They are urging Parliament to allocate funds in the supplementary budget to secure their positions.In response, the clinical officers have vowed to remain on strike until their demands are met. Healthcare services in various facilities have been disrupted as the officers stand firm on their call for better employment terms.The striking officers insist that no UHC clinical officer will report to work until they receive permanent and pensionable terms.

They argue that fair pay and job security are essential to ensuring quality healthcare delivery across the country.Additionally, the clinical officers are demanding the inclusion of clinical officer-owned facilities under the Social Health Authority. They also seek authorization to complete pre-authorization forms, a key administrative function in the healthcare system.As the strike intensifies, pressure is mounting on the government to address the crisis. The disruption of essential healthcare services threatens to impact millions of patients who rely on public hospitals for medical care.With no resolution in sight, all eyes are on policymakers to find a lasting solution. The clinical officers remain steadfast in their fight for fair treatment, leaving the future of healthcare services hanging in the balance.

News story by Florence Simiyu.