Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Thursday, March 21, chaired a consultative meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre – KICC in a bid to end the ongoing doctors’ strike.
The meeting followed an order by the Employment court to address the perennial labor issues in the health sector, among them being the posting of medical interns.
During the meeting, Koskei addressed demands by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on the salaries of medical interns.
Koskei who also doubles up as State House Chief of Staff, stated that all interns are the same and they need to be treated equally.
“The term intern across the country is a terminology that is in every sector,” Koskei stated.
He added that medical interns are not employees hence they should be given a stipend and not salaries as proposed.
“Interns earn a stipend of Ksh 15,000 to Ksh40 000,” he stated.
The meeting came a day after the ministry of health kicked off the posting of medical interns.
Despite that, Koskei noted that some of the doctors had either been employed by hospitals or managing their own hospitals.
Also Read: Sakaja Gives Striking Doctors a 12-Hour Ultimatum After Meeting
In addition, he stated that it was the government’s obligation to ensure that all medical students get internships.
“The government is committed to ensure all the doctors that graduate get a chance to practice,” he added.
Koskei on need to review interns program
Koskei noted that there is need to group the students and other doctors who are managing their own clinics accordingly.
Additionally, he said they have to research on the number of interns hospital can accommodate.
During the midnight press briefing, he warned all doctors on strike to resume work as ordered by the court.
The meeting brought together various parties and stakeholders from the ministry of health and public service.
They included Cabinet Secretaries, the Council of Governors, Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
Others included Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), Public Service Commission (PSC).
The Kenya Federation of Employers and Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) were also present.
Medical interns reject salaries proposed by Gvt
SRC earlier advised the Ministry of Health on what medical interns ought to get as a monthly stipend.
However, doctors said the proposed figures were still low, citing the magnitude of the responsibilities given to the medical interns in various health facilities.
Also Read: Govt Begins Deployment of 1,270 Interns Amid Pressure
“Reference is made to your letters Ref. No. SDPH&PS.5/2/18 and Ref. No. SDPH&PS.5/2/19 dated 6th March 2024 and 11th March, 2024 respectively on the above subject.
“The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) during its 593rd meeting held on 12th March 2024 approved a stipend for healthcare Internship program for the listed cadres, subject to affordability and fiscal sustainability.
“This advice is effective from the date of this letter,” the letter from SRC read in part.
Interns’ payments as proposed by SRC
Based on SRC advice, Clinical Officers (Diploma Holders) Interns were supposed to receive between Ksh27,000 to Ksh35,000 while Clinical Officer (BSCCM) Interns to receive between Ksh35,000 to Ksh50,000.
Nursing Officer (Degree) interns were expected to receive stipends ranging from Ksh35,000 to Ksh50,000, Dental Officer interns from Ksh47,000 to Ksh70,000, and Medical Officer and Pharmacist interns from Ksh47,000 to Ksh70,000.
