Ministry of Health blames Treasury over delay in posting of medical interns

A meeting between the Ministry of Health and the sector union leaders on the issue of posting medical interns ended in an impasse as no agreement was reached, and blame passed to another government docket.

The meeting brought together leaders of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), as well as the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN).

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah, in a statement released after the meeting, said the sector bosses insisted on the posting of interns at the end of February as agreed in a previous meeting with the ministry.

He noted that, in rebuttal, Health Cabinet Secretary Wafula Nakhumicha said the February deadline was impossible to beat due to a delay in budget approval by the National Treasury.

Dr. Atellah however stated that the trade union heads demanded for the withdrawal of a recent ministry notice stating that interns would be posted in July, pending further engagement on the same next week.

“We made reference to the earlier commitment that interns would be posted in February and agreed to pursue that even though ministry expressed delay in budget approval from Treasury,” he stated.

“We are to have more engagement next week to ensure the internship impasse is resolved and posting is done. The earlier communique from ministry indicating posting would be done in July was withdrawn hence not a point of focus anymore.”

CS Nakhumicha also took to social media to maintain that concerted efforts were in motion to ascertain that internships are designed to strengthen human resources for health.

“Together, we agreed to work towards consensus building and a consultative approach with all stakeholders to ensure internships are streamlined as it is a key pillar in strengthening human resource for health as the government is focused towards the delivery of quality, accessible and affordable health for all Kenyans,” said the CS.

Also present at the meeting was KUCO Chairman Peterson Wachira, KNUN Secretary General Seth Panyako.