The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has dismissed Health CS Susan Nakhumicha’s claims that medical interns earn more than doctors.

Nakhumicha said that interns earn close to Sh200,000 while new doctors earn Sh104,000 during an interview with a local TV station.

KPMDU Secretary-General Davji Atella has come out to set the record straight and said the CS’s allegations were not factual.

According to Atella, Interns are the lowest, they are under the lowest job group (L).

“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,” Atella said.

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Atella also said he has a memo from the National Treasury dated October 25, 2022, which informed the Heads of Departments on stopping of training budget in line with the 2022/2023 fiscal year budget.

He also opines the memo should not affect medical trainees and is unconstitutional.

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

According to Atella, there are over 600 medical officers who are yet to be posted to health institutions despite graduating over 6 months ago.

He also said 60 per cent of doctors who graduated 5 years ago are also yet to be employed yet hospitals are understaffed.

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

The KMPDU Secretary-General said the union is ready to work with the Nakhumicha and other stakeholders in the health sector to bolster a functional healthcare system in the country.

“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,” he said.

Nahumicha’s remarks elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans especially medical practitioners who faulted her. 

“Kenya is a country where interns earn more than actual doctors when they are deployed. For example, a medical intern earns close to Sh200,000 while when a new doctor is reporting earning Sh104,000,” she said.