The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union
has said that all intern doctors will be paid an average of Sh206,000.
KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah said the intern doctors include medical
officers, dentists, and pharmacists.
Atellah said the 1,800 intern doctors will be compensated according to
the CBA, with an average earning of 206,000.
“Other interns will be remunerated based on their respective schemes of
services,” he said.
Atellah said the main primary objective is to uphold the integrity of
the CBAs and ensure the dignity of intern doctors.
He said the move will also foster a motivated healthcare workforce for
the benefit of patients.
Atellah lauded Health CS Aden Duale for his leadership, which he said had led to an end to numerous demonstrations and strikes.
“Duale has delivered for both Kenyans and
healthcare workers. We should always commend good work and good leadership,” he
added.
As Duale took over the ministry, he promised to continue the
work accomplished by his predecessor and also envisaged by the President
in his plan to reform the health insurance scheme.
In his maiden speech, Duale said that the health of Kenyans
is non-negotiable.
He said he will intentionally fight and wipe out cartels in
the health ministry, who have crippled service delivery to Kenyans to ensure
all Kenyans have access to quality and affordable health services.
The doctor interns have been in and out of the streets over
the recent months, demonstrating over the implementation of the CBA.
Intern doctors’ conflicts centred on the government’s move
to reduce the monthly remuneration for intern doctors from Sh206,000 to Sh70,000, citing
financial constraints.
Even after agreements to restore salaries to Sh206,000,
several interns remain unpaid, unposted, or working under unsatisfactory
conditions.
KMPDU threatened
further strikes and pressure campaigns until the full CBA terms are honoured.
Intern doctors have repeatedly resorted to strikes and
protests over drastic salary reductions from Sh206k to Sh70k, delays in pay and
deployment, sometimes lasting months and severe working conditions, including
36-hour shifts, burnout, and tragic suicides linked to financial stress.