The protracted dispute between the Kenyan government and the Kenya Medical Pharmacists, Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) over the deployment of medical interns has come to an end.
On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni and KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah announced the signing of an agreement that will facilitate the immediate posting of intern doctors.
The Ministry of Health will post 1,210 medical interns, who will start their 12-month internships on August 1, 2024.
“With this addendum signed, the Ministry of Health will immediately proceed with posting 1,210 intern doctors, effective August 1. The Internship Offer Letters issued on March 18, 2024, have been revoked,” PS Muthoni stated.
The terms for these internships will adhere to the conditions specified in the new placement letters.
Any ongoing disputes regarding remuneration will be settled following the final ruling of the Eldoret Employment and Labour Relations Court Petition E003 of 2024 and related cases.
The Ministry also assured that any outstanding arrears prior to the court’s decision would be paid within 90 days of the judgment.
KMPDU, in an announcement on X, indicated that the medical interns would begin collecting their appointment letters starting today and continuing until August 1, 2024.
“Today marks the signing of an addendum to the Return-to-Work Formula dated May 8, 2024, with the Ministry of Health committing to the deployment of 1,210 medical interns. The collection of appointment letters begins today and runs through to August 1, 2024,” the KMPDU statement read.
This agreement follows recent demonstrations by healthcare workers outside the Ministry of Health headquarters at Afya House, Nairobi.
The medics staged day and night protests to pressure the government to adhere to the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) stipulations regarding intern postings.
This breakthrough is expected to bring stability to the healthcare sector, which has faced challenges due to the delayed posting of new medical personnel.
The Ministry of Health’s pledge to resolve pay disputes and ensure prompt payment of arrears highlights a significant step towards addressing the concerns of medical professionals.
As these medical interns prepare to embark on their careers, this resolution promises to enhance healthcare services and support the health workforce throughout the country.