In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Acting Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth downplays doctors’ demand for medical interns’ salaries exceeding Ksh.200,000, citing budgetary constraints and comparisons with neighboring countries.
- Amid an ongoing doctors’ strike, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) insists on better compensation for interns, rejecting government proposals and emphasizing the interns’ vital role in healthcare.
Acting Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, has weighed in on the demand by doctors for increased compensation for medical interns, dismissing the possibility of meeting their request for a salary exceeding Ksh.200,000.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Newsgang show, Dr. Amoth cited the government’s financial constraints, explaining that such a substantial raise in intern salaries was unfeasible given the current budget limitations.
Highlighting salary comparisons with neighboring countries, Dr. Amoth pointed out that medical interns in countries like Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda receive significantly lower salaries ranging from Ksh.45,000 to Ksh.70,000.
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He emphasized the financial burden posed by meeting the demands of the 3759 interns, amounting to a budget of Ksh.4.8 billion, a figure that escalates annually with new graduates entering the workforce.
These comments from Dr. Amoth come amidst an ongoing doctors’ strike that has disrupted medical services nationwide, with hospitals and facilities facing significant strain.
The failure to address the concerns of medical interns, who play a crucial role in healthcare delivery, exacerbates an already overburdened system, as highlighted by the striking doctors.
However, despite the Ministry’s stance, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) remains resolute in advocating for improved compensation for interns.
They argue that competitive remuneration is essential to attract and retain skilled medical professionals, vital for ensuring quality healthcare services for the Kenyan population.
Rejecting government proposals offering monthly stipends ranging from Ksh.27,000 to Ksh.70,000, the KMPDU asserts that such offers would exploit interns who contribute significantly to the healthcare workload.
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The ongoing impasse underscores the urgent need for dialogue and resolution to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the healthcare sector in Kenya.
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