Doctors across the country can finally breathe a sigh of relief after the National Treasury agreed to disburse salary arrears of all doctors who were yet to receive their pay, in addition to extending their medical coverage to November 21.
According to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah, the union had received confirmation from the Ministry of Treasury and Council of Governors that salary areas for doctors had already been disbursed. He noted that the union would conduct a follow-up to ensure the funds were reflected in doctors’ payslips.
“These funds are now moving through the system and we are closely following up to ensure that the payments are reflected in doctors’ payslips as soon as possible,” Atellah assured the doctors.
The KMPDU Secretary-General also announced that the government would soon begin the process of employing several doctors who are on an internship programme to permanent and pensionable terms. He noted that the process would commence once the court rules on the matter by October 18 this year.
KMPDU SG Davji Atellah during protests in Nairobi on Thursday, February 29, 2024
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KMPDU
“Tomorrow, we expect a court ruling on internship pay, which has been a significant point of concern. We remain optimistic and will provide further guidance once the judgment is delivered,” Atellah announced.
He further announced that promotions for doctors had already been approved in many counties as per the Return to Work Formula (RTWF) agreed in August this year. According to Atellah, the union had completed the process of gathering data from counties to ensure that doctors received promotions and redesignations.
Atellah also noted that the union was closely working with the government to ensure that all doctors facing challenges with their post-graduate fees were sorted.
He revealed that KMPDU had commenced the process of collecting documentation from affected health workers to reinitiate the sponsorship process and ensure everyone was included in the programme.
“While some doctors have had their fees paid, others were unfortunately left out. We are collecting documentation from affected members to reinitiate the sponsorship process,” the KMPDU boss stated.
The move came a week after the healthcare workers threatened to stage nationwide demonstrations if the government failed to tackle critical systemic issues caused by the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Led by the KMPDU boss, Davji Attelah, the medical workers said the recent decision to extend the insurance scheme to November 21 only provided temporary relief. The medical officers urged the government to engage them in meaningful dialogue to resolve the menace within the health sector that had plagued service delivery.
“The lack of clear long-term plans leaves workers vulnerable to further disruptions, and we remain firm in demanding a comprehensive healthcare system that truly serves public sector workers beyond this extension,” the healthcare workers lamented.
“SHA is deducting more from workers’ salaries, but providing less. This is unacceptable, as workers are paying more for substandard services, threatening their well-being.”
Meanwhile, the government yesterday announced plans to disburse Ksh1.5 billion this week to settle claims owed to healthcare facilities, with an additional Ksh3 billion to be cleared next week as the SHA rollout continued across the country.
Health Principal Secretary Kimtai Kimtai confirmed that all claims owed by NHIF would be fully paid under the new health insurance scheme. “We are optimistic that we will settle all the claims,” Kimtai assured healthcare providers.
A photo of the Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters.
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