Kenya – Intern Doctors to Start 12 Month Internship Starting August 1

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya

The Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union have signed an addition to the Return-to-Work Formula on the posting of intern doctors.

The new agreement modifies the previous Return-to-Work Formula signed on 8th May 2024.

“This crucial agreement, signed amid ongoing negotiations, confirms the immediate posting of 1,210 intern doctors, enabling them to start their internships by August 1, 2024,” Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni said in a statement.

Doctors’ union KMPDU was represented by its Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah.

PS Mary Muthoni said following the signing of the addition, the ministry will immediately post the 1,210 intern doctors to start their 12-month internship by August 1.

“The ministry has also revoked the internship offer letters issued on 18th March 2024,” the PS said.

She said the terms of engagement for the intern doctors will follow the conditions set out in their internship placement letters.

She said all issues of compensation, which remain in dispute, will be resolved according to the final determination of the Eldoret Employment and Labor Relations Court and other related cases.

“All arrears earned before the court’s decision will be paid in full within ninety days of the ruling,” the PS said.

Doctors ended their nationwide strike following the signing of a return-to-work agreement with the Ministry of Health and counties on May 8.

The KMPDU members had been on strike for 56 days.

However, troubled intern doctors started fresh protests at Afya House on Monday, July 8 to express frustrations over years of waiting for their official posting.

They sustained the protests for four days, sleeping at the MoH main gate on some nights, until Thursday, July 11 when they called off the protest in what they said was out of goodwill.

They said they were committed to a fair and effective resolution of the current challenges but warned that they would return to the streets should their grievances not be addressed.

“In a gesture of goodwill, we have decided to suspend the planned assembly and demonstration at the Afya House premises scheduled for tomorrow Friday, July 12, 2024,” the intern medics said in a statement.

PS Muthoni expressed gratitude to the KMPDU for their commitment to constructive engagement throughout the mediation process.

She said the agreement marks a positive step towards improving the working conditions for healthcare professionals and ensuring the provision of quality healthcare for all Kenyans.

“The ministry remains dedicated to fostering a collaborative relationship with KMPDU and other stakeholders in the health sector to address and resolve ongoing issues, ultimately enhancing the healthcare system in Kenya,” she said.

She assured that the ministry is aware of the ongoing court processes in the Employment and Labor Relations Court Nairobi and Eldoret and the Presidential Taskforce on addressing Human Resources whose mandate is to address issues related to the Human Resources for Health Internship and provide recommendations.