NAIROBI, Kenya – Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni has confirmed that the government has released Sh 1.75 billion owed to doctors and interns.
According to PS Muthoni, the monies emanate from the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 2016 to 2024.
“It is good to note that the salary arrears pending since 2016 for the doctors are being paid,” said PS Muthoni in an interview with K24 TV.
Why Community Health Promoters should be a happy lot
The PS said that some of the medics have already received their salaries depending on which bank they belong to.
“So, it is important to note that we have cleared Sh 1.75 billion owed to the doctors emanating from the CBA of 2016 to 2024,” she added.
PS Muthoni further stated that the government will not close the year with any debt or arrears for Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
“We are going to pay to the last coin so that we start the year on clean sleet, and they can also close the year in a festive mood, just like any other person. So, it is important to note that we care about them, and we are looking forward to opening the year and working very closely to ensure we achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” she said.
Why the government is working closely with health workers
The PS said the government shall continue working closely with health professionals through the Ministry of Health (MOH) because they “are very dear to us.”
“Whether you are a doctor, nurse, nutritionist, or public clinical officer working tirelessly at the county level, we applaud you. We feel you are part and parcel of our society and care for everybody,” she said.
https://twitter.com/K24Tv/status/1873255128394023310
PS Muthoni reiterated that the medical interns have already started receiving arrears from the 2016 CBA.
“So, we shall pay this cohort the money owed to them, which shall not be deducted as agreed in the addendum we decided upon the other day with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU). So, I am looking forward to a fantastic year of people enjoying life and ensuring they are building the economy and the society simultaneously,” explained the PS.
