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National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u has proposed an allocation of Ksh3.7 billion for medical interns.

Speaking on Thursday, June 13, 2024 during the reading of the 2024/2025 budget statement, CS Ndung’u said the government is committed and determined to realize the constitutional right to health.

UHC program

To achieve this, CS Ndung’u said the government will promote access to quality and affordable health care through Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.

“The government is committed and determined to realize the constitutional right to health by promoting access to quality and affordable health care through UHC program,” CS Ndung’u said.

The CS proposed the allocation of Ksh1.1 billion to strengthen cancer management at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Ksh3.7 billion for medical interns and Ksh406 million for training health personnel.

“I have proposed an allocation of Ksh1.1 billion to strengthen cancer management at KNH. I have proposed Ksh3.7 billion for medical interns, Ksh406 million for training of health personnel,” he said.

Health sector allocation

In the FY 2024/25 Budget, the health sector has been allocated Ksh127 billion.

Out of this, Ksh4.1 billion will go towards the management of medical personnel.

Ksh4.2 billion has been allocated towards the Universal Health Coverage Coordination and Management Unit.

Ksh4.6 billion will go to the specialized medical equipment and stipend for community health promoters.

Free maternity health care has been allocated Ksh2 billion, and Ksh3.6 billion for managed equipment services.

Medical cover for the elderly and severely disabled in society has been allocated Ksh861.5 million.

Emergency, chronic and critical illness fund has been allocated Ksh2 billion.

Medical interns concerns

In May 2024, intern doctors said the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) betrayed them in its return-to-work agreement with the government on May 8, 2024.

The accusation came after the issue of terms for intern doctors which was a key point of contention remained unresolved after their strike ended. 

KMPDU in its defence said that it gave the government 60 days to address the matter, at the risk of industrial action in case of failure.

The posting of medical interns and the planned reduction of their monthly pay from Ksh206,000 to Ksh70,000 as advised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) was one of the key issues in contention in the strike that kicked off on March 6, 2024.

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