Public Health and Professional Standards principal secretary Mary Muthoni has confirmed the release of stipend for intern doctors for the month of october even as the second strike for doctors looms this year.
Muthoni has said the stipends were released as part of the agreement anchored on the return to work formula.
She further stated that each medical intern will however, release the amount as stipulated by the salaries remuneration commission.
”This week, we have released the interns stipend as set by the SRC, and this shows the commitment that the government has, as we very well know that we are still very open to conversations.” Muthoni said.
Speaking to the press, the PS has reaffirmed the ministry of health’s commitment to resolving the issue raised by the doctors under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union who have issued a three weeks notice for their grievances to be addressed or down their tools.
The government is still committed to the ongoing talks for the Health Human Resources for health conversation, you know very well that our interns have been in the field without pay, and right now, the court has given us 90 days to have a conversation.” she added.
Speaking during a press conference on November 27, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah said the government has had seven months to implement the agreed salary scales as agreed in the RTWF but had failed to do so.
He said that the fresh strike will be full drawn and will stretch as far as they can until all their demands are met.
Atellah ruled out any form of dialogue this time around.
However, the PS urged the union to tone down inviting them for more dialogue to resolve the impasse pitting the doctors and the union.
”As we very well know that we are still very open to conversations, the court directed us that we have been given 90 days between ourselves and the union. To finish our conversation, and our talks and report back after the 90 days.” Muthoni maintains