KMPDU, Health ministry reach agreement on doctors' pay, CBA, internships

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has welcomed a series of commitments made by the government following a high-level consultative meeting with the Ministry of Health, saying the resolutions mark significant progress in addressing long-standing concerns affecting doctors across the country.

In a statement on Thursday, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the meeting, led by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, resulted in key commitments touching on salaries, collective bargaining agreements, medical cover, employment and internship.

Among the resolutions, the Ministry of Health committed to engage the Ministry of Public Service to facilitate the immediate activation of the IPPD code to enable implementation of basic salary adjustments under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The government also pledged to include the 2024-2025 basic salary arrears in the September Supplementary Budget, with payment expected by December 2026.

In addition, outstanding salary arrears for Ministry of Health doctors dating back to 2017 will be addressed, with a progress update expected by August 2.

The meeting further resolved to extend the deadline for remitting contributions to the Social Health Authority (SHA) from the 9th to the 25th of every month, a move aimed at preventing interruptions in healthcare workers' medical cover.

Negotiations for the 2025-2029 Ministry of Health CBA are also set to begin, with the ministry expected to table its counter-proposal next week.

According to Dr. Atellah, the government also reaffirmed its commitment to employ 2,000 doctors and promised to release a comprehensive report on the employment status of doctors next week.

Other commitments include the appointment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital within three weeks, after which seven pending pharmacists are expected to be absorbed into the institution.

The Medical Services Principal Secretary also undertook to intervene in resolving the pending CBA issues at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, with a progress report expected within one month.

The government further reaffirmed its commitment to ensure the seamless annual posting of medical interns at CBA rates.

While welcoming the commitments, Dr. Atellah stressed that the union would remain vigilant to ensure the agreed timelines are honoured.

"These are important commitments, but our work is far from over," the doctors’ union boss said.

"KMPDU will closely monitor every timeline and ensure that every promise made today translates into real outcomes for doctors."

He added: "We remain united, vigilant, and committed to defending the welfare, dignity, and rights of every doctor."