Dr. Patrick Amoth, the Acting Director General for Health, has dismissed doctors’ calls for medical interns to receive salaries exceeding KES 200,000.
During an appearance on an interview in one of the media houses, Dr. Amoth emphasised the government’s financial challenges, explaining that a significant raise in intern salaries is not feasible due to existing budget constraints.
Dr Amoth noted that other neighbouring countries pay medical interns between KES 45,000 and KES 70,000. He further highlighted the salaries paid to medical interns in various countries, stating that Nigeria pays approximately KES 70,000, South Africa pays KES 208,000, Rwanda pays around KES 50,000, Tanzania pays KES 66,000, Uganda currently pays KES 50,000, and Ghana, which is comparable to Kenya, pays about KES 45,000.
Despite the Ministry’s position, the KMPDU remains resolute in their call for improved compensation for interns. They assert that competitive pay is crucial to attract and retain skilled medical professionals, essential for providing quality healthcare to the Kenyan populace.
In the meantime, doctors have declined two offers from the government, which would have resulted in medical interns receiving a monthly stipend ranging from KES 27,000 to KES 70,000.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentist Union (KMPDU) dismissed the proposals, stating that they would exploit interns, who constitute thirty percent of the healthcare workload.
