Medical interns allocated Ksh.3.7B in 2024/25 budget

The government of Kenya has allocated the Ministry of Health Ksh.3.7 billion to support medical interns during the fiscal year 2024/25.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Njuguna Ndung'u made the announcement when he delivered the 2024/25 budget at Parliament Grounds in Nairobi on Thursday.

This comes just a month after health practitioners called off their 56-day nationwide protest spurred by the non-payment and non-posting of medical interns, among other grievances.

"To strengthen the capacity of medical personnel, I  have proposed Ksh.3.7 billion for Medical Interns; Ksh.406 million for training of Health Personnel; and Ksh.8.6 billion for the Kenya Medical Training Centres," Ndung'u said.

The Treasury CS likewise allocated Ksh.127 billion to the health sector to support various activities and programmes in line with Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

."This includes: Ksh.4.2 billion for Universal Health Coverage Coordination and Management Unit; Ksh.2 billion for Free Maternity Health Care; Ksh.3.6 billion for the Managed Equipment Services; Ksh.861.5 million  to provide medical cover for the orphans, elderly and severely disabled persons in our society: Ksh.4.6 billion to cater for the Stipend and acquisition of Specialized Medical Equipment for Community Health Promoters; and Ksh.4.1 billion for Primary Healthcare Fund," said Ndung'u.

"To lower cases of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and enhance vaccines and immunization programme in the country, I have proposed Ksh.28.7 billion for the Global Fund; and Ksh.4.6 billion for Vaccines and Immunization Programme, respectively."

The state has also allocated Ksh.1.1 billion to improve cancer management at Kenyatta National Hospital and Level 5 Hospitals, with the aim of enhancing early diagnosis and treatment  of the killer disease.

Additionally, they State has allotted Ksh.2 billion to the Emergencies, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.

"Mr. Speaker, to improve health service delivery, I have proposed a sum of Ksh 29.7 billion for Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospitals. This includes Ksh 2.6 billion for the construction of Kenyatta National Hospital Burns and Paediatrics Centre," said the Treasury CS.

"I have also proposed: Ksh 5.2 billion for Kenya Medical Supplies Agency; Ksh 2.5 billion for the Kenya Medical Research Institute; Ksh 1.0 billion for procurement of family planning and reproductive health commodities; and Ksh 760 million for procurement of equipment at the National Blood Transfusion Services."