KMPDU dismisses Health CS Nakhumicha’s claim that interns earn more than doctors

During her appearance on Citizen TV's JKL show on Wednesday night, Nakhumicha said that interns earn Ksh.200,000 while new doctors earn Ksh.104,000.

“Kenya is a country where interns earn more than actual doctors when they are deployed. For example, a medical intern earns close to Ksh.200,000 while when a new doctor is reporting earning Ksh.104,000,” she said.

Now, KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah has told Citizen Digital that Nakhumicha’s sentiments are non-factual.

“The remuneration that was stated is not factual. Interns are the lowest, they are under the lowest job group (L). This is per a CBA in 2017,” Dr Atellah told Citizen Digital in a phone interview.

Citizen Digital has established that the medical interns are paid a stipend of Ksh.42,970 and other allowances applicable to the internship offer for a period not exceeding 12 months.

The Secretary-General also said he is in possession of an October 25, 2022 memo from the National Treasury that informed Heads of Departments on freezing of training budget in realignments of the 2022/2023 financial budget. 

This, Dr Atellah said, should not affect medical trainees as it is unconstitutional and could create a health disaster in the country. 

“In any way that circular affects the post-graduate doctors' training, then it will be contravening the Constitution and the role of MOH,” he said. 

He added that more than 600 medical officers, including pharmacists and dentists who graduated more than six months ago, are yet to be posted to health institutions. 

Additionally, he said 60% of doctors who graduated within the last 5 years are yet to be employed. 

“Hospitals have inadequate consultants. Interns end up doing all the jobs in those facilities, something which is not recommended,” he said.

Dr Atellah called for more engagements among stakeholders, the Ministry and County governments to address dysfunctionality in the health sector. He says the union is ready to engage all players to enable a functional health sector. 

“We are willing to engage and work with the CS to ensure there is a functional healthcare system that is not only structure based but also has an adequate workforce. We will have a social dialogue on the issues that are derailing healthcare,” Dr Atellah said.