The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has issued guidance to its degree interns, advising them against collecting internship offer letters from the Ministry of Health. In a statement dated April 4, KUCO Secretary General George Gibore emphasised ongoing discussions with the ministry to resolve underlying concerns.
Gibore has urged Bachelor of Science in Clinical Officers interns to exercise patience, suggesting they await further instructions once negotiations conclude. He advised the affected interns to disregard any such communication persuading them to collect their placement letters.
“We are currently in discussion with the ministry to address certain terms within the offer letters which deviate from the standard rates. Until these negotiations are concluded and the union communicates otherwise, we advise all interns to refrain from collecting any offer letters from MoH or any other authority.” he stated
Gibore emphasised the union’s relentless efforts to protect the rights and interests of interns, urging them to remain patient during this period.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has been distributing posting letters to approximately 1,270 diploma clinical officers since the end of last month.
Additionally, data indicates that around 145 Bachelor of Science (BSC) holders in clinical medicine are also awaiting their internship placements. This comes even as clinicians made good their threat to go on strike by downing their tools on Monday.
