Payrise for diploma clinicians as SRC, Treasury agree

 

 A nurse examines a patient. [Photo/Courtesy]

The National Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) have agreed to address the pay raise for Diploma Clinical Officers.

This development emerged on Thursday when the Ministry of Health issued letters for 1,270 interns.

The medical interns are expected to report to various facilities across the country on April 1, 2024.

“I thank the Ministry for placing the Diploma interns, who have been out of practice for seven months. This is a significant step forward, as the union continues to advocate for more,” said Ibrahim Wako, Chairman of the Clinical Officers Council.

Wako also announced an increase in the stipend for Diploma interns, from Sh15,000 to Sh35,000.

Adan Harakhe, Director of Administration at the Ministry of Health, said some 3,752 internship letters are ready for release.

These are 1,270 for Clinical Officers Diploma holders, another 145 for Clinical Officers Bachelor of Science and 1,125 for Nursing Officers.

Some 73 letters for Dental Officer Interns, another 290 for Pharmacist Interns and 849 for Medical Officer Interns.

Harakhe mentioned ongoing efforts to review the internship policy, aiming to address healthcare service provision gaps in the country.

Linus Kariuki, Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, said that one of the 19 issues presented to the court by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) was the posting of interns during the Doctors and Government officials meeting at KICC.

“One of the contentious issues was posting of the interns due to the challenges that the ministry of health was facing in regards to budget deficit,” Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said.

 He added: “… and now that you have been approved, we expect that those who have been using the issue of posting of the interns to strike to call off the strike. As a ministry, we have started posting the interns.”

Secretary General of Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) George Gibore echoed the sentiment, urging the government to increase the number of interns deployed to health facilities and emphasizing the importance of their role in patient care.

“The government has been responsive to every issue that is raised by engaging the Union. We call upon the government to resolve the disagreement under category of the degree clinical officer proposal in order to increase the achievement,” Gibore stated.