The recent protests by Doctors and Medical Registrars sparked support fueled by an ongoing forum on the social media. The trending topic, known as the Peremende Movement has also received recognition among members of the mainstream media. This came shortly before the strike officially coming to a close on Thursday evening, with doctors expected to resume duty 24 hours after the official announcement.

The term peremende is a nod towards public servants who feel like the government intends to pay in sweets instead of actual income.

Despite having talks with government officials and Medical sector representatives, doctors had appeared to be at a stalemate. According to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the Ministry of Medical Services had failed to meet their demands.

The Union wanted the government to implement the Musiyimi Report, a document which has served as a blueprint for the Doctors’ demands since its inception in 2011. The report demands the compensation of registrars, both in the public and private health sector. It also calls for the supply of medical equipment as well as favourable working conditions for members of the medical fraternity.

However, the Union reports that The Ministry of Medical Services took too much time to address the much debated compensation of Registrars who demand to be treated like the doctors they are instead of the interns the media describes them to be.

Registrars are Not Interns

The KMPDU argues that Registrars are actual doctors with the competence and capacity to practice medicine. Dr Eric Mugambi describes a Registrar as a qualified doctor. He says that the first rank in this particular field of medicine starts with a Medical Student then a Medical Graduate. Medical Officer Interns come next, followed closely by a fully licensed Medical Officers (having completed a one-year internship). Next come Senior Medical Officers and then the Registrars.

Registrars are superseded by Junior Consultants and finally Senior Consultants and other medical experts including Professors.

“Which law guarantees this kind of barbaric action to be perpetuated in this age and time?” said Doctor Christopher Wahinya, speaking as an active member of the KMPDU.

Dr Julio Etabale, a Pathologist, recently wrote a letter to Minister for Medical Services, Professor Anyang’ Nyongó, stating that the country desperately needed new and improved health facilities. Also speaking as an active member of the Union, Dr Etabale said that he expected functioning labs and equipment from the Ministry instead of what he termed as peremende talk.

Bitter-Sweet Victory

The protests appear to have yielded some fruit seeing as the government finally gave in on Thursday. The doctors are expected to get most, if not all, of what they expected.

"The government will not victimise or take any disciplinary action against any doctors and KPMDU members that participated in the strike," said a spokesperson for the Union during a press briefing on Thursday. On the other hand, Minister for Medical Services, Professor Nyongó expressed gratitude for the doctors who kept health facilities running throughout the course of the strike.