Public health services have fully resumed in Tharaka Nithi County after the county government resolved grievances raised by nurses, Governor Muthomi Njuki has announced.
The governor assured residents that all public health facilities were operating normally and urged them to continue seeking treatment, saying nurses and clinical officers had resumed duty despite the ongoing nationwide doctors’ strike.
Speaking during a burial service at Kambandi in Magumoni Ward, Njuki said the county government had engaged nurses’ representatives and addressed the issues that had prompted industrial action, making it unnecessary for healthcare workers in the county to join the strike.
Among the grievances resolved, he said, was an increase in the monthly risk allowance for nurses from Sh3,000 to Sh5,000.
Njuki also said the concerns raised by about 9,000 intern nurses over permanent employment had been addressed, adding that they had received letters confirming they would be employed on permanent and pensionable terms.
He warned that any healthcare worker who joins the strike despite the county resolving the outstanding issues would face disciplinary action, including possible dismissal.
“The health of our residents comes first. Where concerns have already been resolved, there is no justification for disrupting services in the name of solidarity,” the governor said.
The governor said the county government had obtained a court order directing healthcare workers to resume duty and urged all medical personnel to comply.
He maintained that labour disputes should be handled according to the circumstances in each county, noting that Tharaka Nithi had resolved its outstanding issues through dialogue.
Njuki appealed to residents not to fear seeking medical services, assuring them that all public health facilities in the county were fully operational and ready to serve patients.
By Dickson Mwiti/Christine Ngitori
