CS Nakhumicha calls for talks as doctors, medical interns continue protests

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on Tuesday made appeals to striking doctors and protesting medical interns, asking them to consider dialogue to resolve the issues they have raised.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on Monday started a seven-day strike over issues including the alleged shooting of their Secretary-General Davji Atellah during a demonstration last week. They are also concerned about internship postings,  promotions, medical cover, payment of postgraduate fees, study leave and pension.

The medical interns have been staging protests in demand for internship postings. They are opposed to prolonged delays in their postings as medical and dental interns, and pharmacists as this subjects them to significant challenges finding work.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha speaks at Afya House in Nairobi on March 5, 2024, during the flagging off of specialised vaccine storage equipment to counties. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

In her appeal to them, Nakhumicha said, "My call to the union is to allow a conversation to take place as there are many things we need to discuss. A strike will not resolve this problem"

She noted that besides the Health Ministry, stakeholders in the matter include the county government, the Labour, Treasury, and Education ministries, the Public Service Commission, and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and that they must all be involved in talks.

"The Ministry of Health is a very small stakeholder in this matter," she said.

According to the KMPDU, 1,215 medical interns are awaiting posting with some having waited six months to a year.

In a meeting held between the unions and the Ministry of Health on January 22, 2024, it was agreed that all interns would be posted by the end of February.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha during the flag-off ceremony for specialised vaccine storage equipment to 47 counties at Afya House, Nairobi on March 5, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Earlier, KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah said the internship issue cannot be negotiated.

“We had the [Collective Bargaining Agreement] CBA so the minister cannot purport to change the rules on the payment of interns. Interns are the backbone of our healthcare system. We had intended to do this strike in June but they have made us bring it forward."

Nakhumicha acknowledged the delay in the posting of medical interns, saying it has been the experience over the years.

"We are taking our time because we are looking for a lasting solution. I'm asking for their patience as we finalise the discussions" she told journalists at Afya House in Nairobi while flagging off the last bath of 2,061 specialised vaccine storage equipment to counties.

"It does not make sense for us to post [the interns] without payment. It doesn't make sense to post without ensuring that the other things that I have talked about are available. We want to make sure that after we resolve this you won't ever need to come back here again," she added.