Be Patient as We Find Lasting Solution; Nakhumicha Tells Doctors

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha during the flag off of specialized cold chain equipment to counties at Afya House on March 5, 2024


Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has urged doctors to remain patient while the ministry endeavors to find a permanent resolution to the internship problem.

Addressing the issue at Afya House on Tuesday, Nakhumicha stated that the ministry is actively engaging with union representatives to devise a strategy that will effectively tackle the problem of intern placement.

These remarks follow shortly after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union issued a seven-day ultimatum to the ministry, threatening to initiate a nationwide strike starting Sunday midnight if the issues affecting its members are not addressed. Instead of resorting to a strike, Nakhumicha has urged the union to engage in dialogue and allow for constructive discussions to occur, emphasizing that a strike will not bring about a resolution to the matter.

"I want to acknowledge and take responsibility that there is a delay, but it has been a problem for long, so we are taking our time because we want to get a lasting solution," the CS reassured. 

"Let them give us time to settle this matter, I know they are anxious about the posting but once we resolve the outstanding issues, we will be able to communicate to them before the time they have given us."



The Health Cabinet Secretary mentioned that besides the necessary funding, the ministry is considering various factors, including the availability of trainers to oversee the interns.

The CS reported that on Tuesday, union officials met with Mary Muthoni, the Public Health and Professional Standards PS, in an effort to break the deadlock and find common ground.

Nakhumicha highlighted that the country currently has internship centers at levels 4, 5, and 6 facilities, which must meet the internship program's requirements. These facilities are required to have medical officers and specialists to supervise interns, necessary equipment for interns, and health commodities for their use upon placement.

"Many things need to be prepared and be available for us to have interns to be posted and for them to acquire the knowledge that they so need under that internship programme," the health CS further stated. 

"It doesn't make sense for us to post without payment, it doesn't make sense for us to post without ensuring that the other things that I have talked about are available so that is the conversation that is going so I want to assure the interns that something is being done and we are going to resolve this thing once and for all."

The Health Cabinet Secretary acknowledged that addressing the issue requires involvement from various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, county governments, Ministry of Labour, National Treasury, Public Service Commission, and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

The decision to issue a strike notice by the doctors came after the National Advisory Committee Council convened a meeting on Sunday.


KMPDU strike earlier last week.


Deputy Secretary-General Dennis Miskellah stated on Monday that while the strike notice was initially planned for June, recent events, including the injury of SG Davji Atellah during protests held last Thursday, prompted the decision to expedite the process.

Furthermore, there has been ongoing friction between the unions and the government regarding the placement of interns, with the unions asserting that interns are idling away at home.

"We met as the National Advisory Committee Council and we have agreed to do our nationwide strike starting Sunday next week," Miaskellah said. 

As per the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), there are 1,215 medical interns awaiting placement, with some having waited for either six months or one year.




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