Health CS Deborah Barasa The Ministry of Health has affirmed that it is committed to addressing the concerns of medical interns.
In a statement, the ministry said payments for the cohort of 1,247 interns currently in training centres are being made as per the 2017 CBA.
“Negotiations are ongoing to resolve the conflict between the SRC’s advisory to the Ministry of Health and the CBA signed between the Ministry of Health and KMPDU, which provides for a stipend of Sh206,000 per month based on Job Group L,” it said.
The ministry gave the assurances just hours after the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) issued an ultimatum over the pay.
The union claimed the ministry has imposed a salary cut for interns from Sh206,000 to Sh70.000.
KMPDU Secretary General and CEO Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah issued an ultimatum to the ministry demanding that all interns must be posted and paid in full as per the existing CBA by March 18, 2025.
“Failure to comply will result in nationwide strikes, protests, and the withdrawal of medical services,” Atellah said.
“Barely two months after signing an agreement securing full intern postings and salaries as per the 2017 CBA, the ministry of Health is now attempting to reverse these gains by imposing an outrageous salary cut from Sh206,000 to Sh70.000,” he said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa had earlier hinted at plans to cut the salary of medical interns.
"During our meeting in November-December, we talked about Sh206,000, but for the new cohort, we’re talking about Sh70,000," she said.
She was speaking on Monday during a health summit with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at his Karen residence.
In his statement on Thursday, Atellah said the latest statement by the ministry is not only malicious but also “backward and shameful” and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
"Nowhere else but at the Ministry of Health do programmes evolve in reverse,” Atellah said.
He added that the union will tirelessly fight for the rights of its members.
