Medical interns to earn Sh206,000 in salary deal

Doctors in public hospitals yesterday inked a deal with governors that will lift the top earners’ pay to Sh582,954.

The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed with the Council of Governors (CoG) will see the lowest-paid doctor (intern) earn Sh206,989, including allowances.

Previously, the interns earned at least Sh189,910, including allowances.  Top earning medic previously was on Sh460, 660 monthly. The agreement takes effect immediately and will hold over the next four years.

“The signing of the CBA recognition agreement marks the beginning of constructive engagement between the government and the union,” said Samuel Oroko, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) chairman.

The governors said they would need more resources from the national government to meet the terms of the doctors’ pay deal.

“Counties should receive more resources to be able to cater to the need,” CoG chairman Josphat Nanok said.

The CBA follows a deal reached in March when doctors ended a three-month strike.

The agreement granted doctors increased allowances like emergency call and non-practice perks and outlined a promotion plan.

County governments were to recognise the union and conclude local agreements within 60 days, which lapsed on May 14.

Entry-level doctors or interns will earn more than four times what the government will pay a fresh graduate with a liberal arts degree.

The liberal arts graduate earns about Sh50,000, including allowances monthly.

The new salary agreement would see the lowest-paid doctor and the highest-paid one get an emergency call allowance of between Sh66,000 and Sh80,000.

They are also entitled to a leave allowance of between Sh6,000 and Sh10,000 once a year.