NAIROBI, Kenya- Through the Ministry of Health (MoH), the government has finally bowed to public pressure and resolved to post intern doctors protesting outside Afya House demanding their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) compliant letters.
In a statement seen by Y News, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, whom the striking medics have been calling for her resignation, said her Ministry had held a series of meetings with stakeholders in the health sector in recent days to resolve the stalemate.
“These meetings, which ran throughout the weekend, explored various options, including posting all doctor interns at the recommended Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) stipend rate of Sh 70,000 per month,” Nakhumicha said.
The embattled CS, however, observed that another option was for the intern doctor to wait for the court’s direction on September 26, 2024, using the funds allocated in the 2024/2025 financial year budget post the interns as per the CBA rates in batches as discussions continue within the government to find additional resources,” Nakhumicha explained.
How many intern doctors will be posted by MoH
According to Nakhumicha, with the allocated funds, the Ministry will be able to post at least 552 interns immediately, followed by the rest as more resources become available, which would be indefinite.
“The above notwithstanding, the Ministry recognises the loss in time and highly recommends the interns across the cadres to report to their internship centres as communicated earlier pending the package resolution,” Nakhumicha added.
The CS further revealed that since January 2023, the Ministry has posted 4,156 interns across the six cadres, including 1,735 doctors, 1,214 medical officers, 1,214 pharmacists, 496 pharmacists, and 25 dentists at a monthly rate of Sh 206,400.
Others include 874 nurses, 506-degree clinical officers, and 1,930 diploma clinical officers.
All these interns are expected to complete their internship by June 2024 at a total cost of Sh 4.2 billion.
How MoH reached the Return-to-Work formula agreement with KMPDU
The 56 days of industrial unrest by the doctors culminated in a Return-to-Work formula agreement signed by the government and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on May 8, 2024.
“The Ministry of Health appreciates the role of internships in equipping our workforce with the necessary skills and competencies for optimal healthcare service delivery. It is, therefore, our priority to facilitate this “rite-of-passage,” which all our doctors, clinical officers, and bachelor of science nurses must go through before registration by their respective regulatory bodies,” Nakhumicha said.
The CS reiterated that the agreement contained a proposal to resolve the stalemate regarding posting 1,210 medical interns.
However, the contentious clause compensated the interns. Although KMPDU preferred that an intern be posted at the 2017 CBA rates of Sh 206,400 per month, the readiness of the fiscal space, coupled with the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, cannot permit this.
“Further, the Employment and Labour Relations Court challenged an advisory from the SRC advising on a monthly stipend of Sh 70,000 to facilitate the posting of all interns. This matter still awaits determination on September 26, 2024,” she said.
How many Kenyan intern doctors are waiting posting
Meanwhile, Nakhumicha said that currently, 3,760 interns are awaiting posting across the cadres for a total budget of Sh 4.8 billion.
“Due to the budget ceiling, the Ministry received an allocation of Sh 3.7 billion for internship in the Financial Year 2024/2025. The court case notwithstanding, the parties agreed to continue issuing a consensus position within 60 days, ended Sunday, July 7, 2024, to unlock the stalemate out of court,” said the CS.
CS Nakhumicha further disclosed that numerous meetings have been held, and good progress has been made toward achieving consensus.
“Of none, is that both parties agree on the need for the interns to be posted without further delay,” said the CS.
