The Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has proposed a salary reduction for medical interns. This advice has been given by Irungu Nyakera, the chairperson of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) board.
Nyakera stated that interns cannot make more money than doctors in a post on X on Monday.
"Interns cannot earn 206k when some doctors are starting at 48k- let interns accept SRC rates of 70k, or thereabouts," he stated.
According to Nyakera, each County should be in charge of its own physicians since health is a devolved function.
"Health is devolved so every county should handle its doctors and localize their demands," he stated.
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According to the KEMSA boss, a new union may be formed if the doctor's union isn't serving their interests.
"Create a new union to effectively bargain on behalf of doctors if the current one is not serving their interests. Pharmacists are allowed to own their own businesses. The world is free."
The Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Dennis Miskellah, rebutted the KEMSA chair's comments on X, calling them embarrassing and advising him to educate himself further on health issues.
"Just because you were appointed in KEMSA does not mean that you have suddenly become an expert in Health Systems management," he responded to a post on X.