In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Health CS Susan Nakhumicha urges medical interns to report to work as discussions continue on resolving their pay dispute.
- Three options are being considered, including a court ruling on the SRC’s proposed stipend, with a decision expected on September 26, 2024.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has instructed posted medical interns to report to their designated health centers as stakeholders work to resolve the ongoing stalemate regarding their monthly pay.
In a statement, Nakhumicha explained that the Ministry of Health’s budget allocation of Ksh.3.7 billion for the 2024/25 fiscal year is insufficient to cover the Ksh.4.8 billion required for posting 3,760 interns.
She outlined three options currently being discussed with the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU).
The first option is to post all doctors at the recommended monthly rate of Ksh.70,000 as proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The second option is to use the allocated budget to post at least 552 interns at the monthly rate of Ksh.206,400, as per the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The third option is to await the court’s ruling on the SRC’s proposed Ksh.70,000 monthly stipend, which is set for September 26, 2024.
“The Ministry recognizes the loss in time and highly recommends that interns across all cadres report to their internship centers as communicated earlier, pending the resolution of the package,” the statement read in part.
Read Also:
Gov’t Promises to Address Abductions and Arbitrary Arrests During Protests
Raila Junior’s Post Sparks Online Uproar After Father Backs Ruto’s Youth Dialogue
Bishop Allan Kiuna, Founder of JCC, Passes Away in Hospital
CS Nakhumicha also addressed the #OccupyMOH movement, where hundreds of medical, dental, and pharmacy interns have protested at the Ministry of Health headquarters, demanding her resignation.
She noted that some individuals are using the peaceful demonstrations to portray the Ministry as inactive and incompetent.
“It is regrettable that despite open and candid discussions with union officials and representatives of the interns, a few individuals are attempting to use the demonstrations and assembly as an opportunity to paint an image of inaction, neglect, and incompetence against the Ministry of Health, hoping to incite chaos among the wider population,” she said.
Nakhumicha reassured the public that ongoing discussions would ultimately resolve the stalemate, with all parties reaching a mutual decision.
This statement comes after months of deadlock between the Ministry and health stakeholders over the 2017 CBA agreement.
In March, health workers staged a 56-day strike, demanding the government address their grievances.
The strike ended with a Return-to-Work Formula signed on May 8, 2024, which included the formation of a task force to rationalize the remuneration of all health workers across the country.