Health CS Nakhumicha’s assertion that interns make more money than doctors is rejected by KMPDU.
Health CS Nakhumicha’s assertion that interns make more money than doctors is rejected by KMPDU. Health CS Susan Nakhumicha’s claim that medical interns make more money than newly hired doctors has been rejected as untrue by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
Nakhumicha stated on Wednesday night’s JKL show on Citizen TV that interns make Ksh.200,000 while brand-new doctors make Ksh.104,000 in salary.
When doctors are deployed to Kenya, interns make more money than practicing physicians. When a new doctor reports making Ksh. 104,000, for instance, a medical intern makes close to Ksh. 200,000, she said.
Nakhumicha’s remarks are untrue, according to Citizen Digital’s interview with KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah.
“The reported compensation is not accurate. Interns are the lowest and fall under the lowest occupational category (L). According to a CBA in 2017,” Dr. Atellah said during a phone conversation with Citizen Digital.
The medical interns are paid a salary of Ksh. 42,970 and additional allowances relevant to the internship offer for a length of time not to exceed 12 months, according to Citizen Digital.
The Secretary-General said that he has a memo from the National Treasury dated October 25, 2022, which told department heads that the training budget had been frozen as part of realignments to the fiscal year 2022–2023 budget.
Dr. Atellah argued that this shouldn’t apply to medical students because it is unlawful and might have disastrous health effects nationwide. “That circular will be against the Constitution and the function of MOH in any way that impacts the post-graduate doctors’ training,” he said.
Including pharmacists and dentists who graduated more than six months ago, he said, more than 600 medical officers have yet to be deployed to medical facilities. Furthermore, he said that 60% of doctors who graduated within the last five years are still unemployed.
Hospitals employ subpar consultants. In certain institutions, interns wind up doing every job, which is not advised,” he noted.
To address the dysfunctionality in the health system, Dr. Atellah urged for increased interaction among stakeholders, the Ministry, and County governments. According to him, the union is prepared to work with all parties to make the health sector operational.
To ensure that there is a viable healthcare system that is not only structure-based but also has an adequate workforce, we are eager to engage and collaborate with the CS. The factors that are impeding healthcare will be discussed in society, according to Dr. Atellah.
