Kenya Medical Association calls for swift posting of interns

The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has called on the government to expedite the posting of medical and dental interns without further delay.

The plea comes amidst growing concerns over the prolonged delay in deploying newly qualified healthcare professionals across the country.

On February 12, medical graduates demonstrated outside Afya House in Nairobi, protesting the delay in deployment of 1,314 interns who have graduated and been cleared by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).

In a statement on Thursday, KMA Secretary General Diana Marion said the delay in posting interns poses significant challenges to the entire healthcare system in the country.

“It is with great disappointment and concern that we speak on the prolonged delay in the posting of medical interns by the government. This delay not only affects the career progression of the individual healthcare workers but has a significant impact on the entire healthcare system and the capacity to meet the health needs of the Kenyan population,” Marion said.

She further called on the Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council (KHHRAC) to advise on health workforce management issues which continue to disrupt and compromise service delivery.

“Medical internship is a critical time in the medical professional journey where newly qualified doctors can consolidate their skills under the supervision of senior colleagues while offering services in healthcare institutions. Medical interns are the backbone of many healthcare facilities and significantly contribute to the healthcare workforce,” Marion said.

The association also urged the Ministry of Health to issue long-term plans to address matters on health workforce management.

They specifically referenced their position on the proposed Health Service Commission, saying it is a crucial step towards achieving effective healthcare staffing.

She reiterated that KMA is the umbrella professional association for doctors in Kenya and has a twin mandate to champion the welfare of doctors and advocate for the highest standard of quality healthcare in the country and beyond.

“The Medical Practitioner and Dentists Act, CAP 253, Laws of Kenya defines internship training and lays down the framework for medical and dental internship training in Kenya as a mandatory requirement prior to registration as a medical or dental practitioner,” she said.

During last week’s protest, Association of Medical Students of the University of Nairobi chairman Muinde Nthusi said graduates who are yet to be placed in crucial internship positions face significant challenges finding work.

He noted that some have waited up to seven months, a circumstance which he said ultimately disrupts their career progression and affects the delivery of healthcare services.

"Interns play a crucial role in providing frontline care to patients. They need to gain essential practical experience so they can support overstretched healthcare systems," he said.