Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has urged posted medical interns to report to designated health centers as stakeholders work to resolve the issue of their monthly pay.
In a statement, the CS explained that the Ministry of Health’s budget allocation (Ksh.3.7 billion) for the 2024/25 budget is insufficient to cover the Ksh.4.8 billion required to post 3,760 interns.
She outlined three options currently under discussion with the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU).
The first option involves posting all doctors at the recommended monthly rate of Ksh.70,000 proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The second option is to use the allocated budget to post at least 552 interns at a 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 September 26, 2024, regarding the challenge to the SRC’s proposed Ksh.70,000 monthly stipend for interns in the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
“The above notwithstanding, the Ministry recognizes the loss in time and highly recommends the interns across the cadres to report to their internship centres as communicated earlier pending the resolution of the package,” the statement read in part.
CS Nakhumicha also addressed the #OccupyMOH movement, which has seen hundreds of medical, dental, and pharmacy interns protest at the Ministry of Health headquarters, demanding her resignation.
The interns camped at Afya House on Monday, July 8, 2024, until late at night before dispersing. They again returned on Tuesday and continued their protest despite heavy rains that pounded Nairobi. Well-wishers donated food items to the demonstrating interns.
She explained that some individuals were using the peaceful demonstrations to create a false image of inaction and incompetence against the Health Ministry.
“It is regrettable that despite the open and candid discussions with the 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 that this will propagate a feeling of hopelessness and 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 amid months of stalemate between the Ministry and health stakeholders over the 2017 CBA agreement. In March, health workers went on a 56-day strike, demanding the government address their grievances.
The strike culminated in a Return-to-Work formula signed by both parties on May 8, 2024, which included the formation of a task force to rationalize the remuneration of all health workers across the country.
