Lawyer Miguna Miguna has offered his perspective on the current nationwide doctors' strike.
In a statement released on Tuesday, April 9, Miguna questioned the government's proposal to pay medical interns Ksh 70,000 per month.
The outspoken lawyer argued that doctors, who achieved top grades in high school and dedicated five years to medical school, deserve better compensation.
“How can we as a country argue, in good conscience, that a physician who got all As in High School, spent 5 years at Medical School, and is delivering our babies, removing our tumors, and spending countless hours in emergency rooms, is worth only KES 70,000 per month, while semi-illiterates in Parliament earn KES 1,500,000, excluding the millions they loot from CDF and other illicit deals? What happened to our dignity as a country?” he posed.
His comments followed President William Ruto's statement that there were no funds allocated for the payment of intern doctors.
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Addressing the issue on Sunday, Ruto emphasized that the medical professionals must understand the financial constraints faced by the country, indicating a lack of resources to increase salaries for its workforce.
“We have a situation with our doctors and interns. I want to implore them that it is important for us as a nation to agree that we must live within our means. We cannot continue to spend the money we don’t have,” said Ruto.
Entering its fourth week on Monday, the doctors' strike continues as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists & Dentists Union (KMPDU) persists in its call for the full implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) initiated in 2017.
KMPDU officials are also advocating for medical interns to receive a salary and allowances totaling at least Sh206,000 per month.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU), the Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologist Officers (KNUPT), and the Kenya National Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians (KUNAD) have issued a seven-day strike notice. Following this notice, all members are set to commence a strike.
The unions are demanding equitable treatment and compensation for all members, including the posting and payment of interns. They are also calling for the immediate recognition and absorption of their union members.
