Soon after the 56-day doctors’ strike that crippled service delivery in the health sector across the country due to the government’s failure to honour the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the medics,
Public Service Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai has proposed a monthly salary of Ksh 70,000 as the feasible figure that the government is able to manage so as to avert a further crisis in the already crumbling health sector for medical interns in Kenya. This proposal aims to address ongoing concerns raised by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
KMPDU has been advocating for better compensation amid rising living costs that have resulted in members committing suicide over delayed compensation. Two medical intern doctors have committed suicide in Kiambu county in the past 2 months over delayed salaries running into four months with government hospitals including the recent one of Thika Level 4 medical intern.
The union Secretary General Davji Atellah hinted at an emergency executive sitting to issue a strike notice to handle the medical intern payment menace
Kimtai made this announcement during a meeting with KMPDU representatives in Nairobi. He acknowledged that medical interns play a crucial role in healthcare delivery across the country. Fair compensation is essential not only for their welfare but also for attracting talent into the medical profession.
Currently, many interns earn significantly less than Ksh 70,000 per month. This disparity has led to dissatisfaction among medical professionals entering the workforce after graduation.
KMPDU leaders welcomed Kimtai’s proposal but expressed concerns over its implementation timeline. They emphasized that swift action is necessary to prevent an impending doctors’ strike scheduled for early December 2024.
Kimtai reassured union leaders that he would advocate for prompt approval of their proposal within government channels. He highlighted ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Health to improve working conditions for all medical staff across various levels of care facilities.
In addition to salary increases, Kimtai discussed other potential benefits for medical interns during the meeting. These include better training opportunities and mentorship programs aimed at enhancing their skills while serving patients effectively.
KMPDU leaders stressed that addressing these issues is vital not only for interns but also for improving overall healthcare quality in Kenya’s public health system.
As discussions continue between Kimtai and KMPDU representatives regarding salary adjustments and working conditions improvements may lead towards more comprehensive reforms within healthcare services across Kenyan hospitals nationwide.
Kimtai’s proposal represents a positive step towards ensuring fair compensation for medical interns in Kenya while addressing broader issues affecting healthcare professionals today as they strive towards delivering quality care amid challenging circumstances faced daily within hospitals nationwide.
