Former Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr. Ouma Oluga has shed light on the controversial 206,000 intern pay that has been a subject of intense debate in Kenya’s healthcare sector.
According to Dr. Oluga, the government has been “drumming the figure in an attempt to ‘make doctors look greedy’,” but the reality is quite different.
“A little Shocker here. You’ve probably heard 206K a bit too much because the government kept drumming the figure in an attempt to ‘make doctors look greedy’,” he noted.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Dr. Oluga disclosed that only 112 doctor interns have been earning the 206K gross pay for the past 7 years.
“The shocker is that only 112 doctor interns have been earning 206K for the past 7 years being gross pay,” explained the doctor.
Dr. Oluga breaks down the controversial intern pay
Following this revelation, Dr. Oluga went on to provide details of his breakdown aiming to offer a clearer understanding of the issue.
He explained that the 206,000 figure includes a Nairobi House Allowance of 28,000/-, and this pay scale is applicable to doctor interns stationed at specific hospitals in the capital city.
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The various hospitals include Kenyatta National Hospital which houses 64 interns, Moi Forces Memorial Hospital with 16 interns, Mbagathi Hospital also with 16 interns, and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital with 16 interns.
“And that applies to doctor interns at KNH (64), Moi Forces Memorial Hospital (16), Mbagathi Hospital (16), Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital (16) totally 112,” he said.
Additionally, he noted that other Nairobi-based centers such as Mater Hospital (4), Karen Hospital (4), and Aga Khan Hospital (8-12), pay their interns at similar CBA rates without government support.
The remaining 1,100 doctor interns, according to Dr. Oluga, earn a gross of 186K and after statutory deductions like PAYE, these interns take home approximately 130K.
Disparity in pay among Intern Doctors
This revelation by the former KMPDU boss sheds light on the disparity in pay among doctor interns, a fact that has been overshadowed by the extensive focus on the 206,000 figure.
Dr. Oluga’s breakdown underscores the need for a closer examination of the healthcare system’s remuneration structure and the challenges faced by medical interns in Kenya.
The impact of this issue, as Dr. Oluga pointed out, has been disproportionately felt by a small percentage of interns, despite the significant attention it has received.
“Now imagine all those press conferences, TV interviews, meetings being held because of 112 people. 10% of all interns,” he remarked.
Doctors strike
For over a month now, the country has been gripped by the ongoing health crisis which has resulted in the downing of tools by doctors.
The doctors’ strike has placed an immense strain on citizens, leaving many vulnerable and jeopardizing countless lives.
Also Read: Why Doctors Rejected Multi-Billion Deal for Interns
The contentious issue of intern salaries was among the issues listed in the striking doctors demands.
KMPDU demanded that medical interns be paid Ksh.206,000 as per the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which the government has refused noted that it is only able to pay a maximum of Ksh.70,000 in line with SRC recommendations.
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