Sigh of relief for medical interns as Gov’t set to clear salary arrears

Medical interns across the country can now breathe a sigh of relief after the Ministry of Health committed to clearing all their pending salary arrears and posting those that still remain without jobs to various working stations by July this year.

This is according to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) which said the agreement was arrived at following consultations with the ministry on Monday.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the government has already disbursed the May salaries, adding that any other arrears for present and past interns will be paid next month.

“Moreover, effective from the 1st of July, all remaining interns will be duly posted. We would like to acknowledge the unwavering determination and advocacy of our medical interns,” stated Dr. Atellah.

“It is through their unity and perseverance that we have achieved these favourable outcomes. Their voices were heard, and the impact of their collective efforts is evident in the solutions we have reached.”

This comes after the medical interns presented their grievances to the union officials in a meeting held at Ufungamano Hall in Nairobi on May 10, 2023.

The KMPDU top brass, at the meeting, resolved to pick up negotiations with the government for the 2021/2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which it said would address – among other issues – delayed posting of interns, delayed payments, as well as general unemployment of doctors.