Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged medical interns, through their unions, to consider accepting the Ksh 2.4 billion offer from the government for their deployment and posting.
PS Muthoni warned that the allocation could be withdrawn back to the treasury in June if the unions, led by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), continue to reject it, risking a stalemate and disrupting normal healthcare provision in public hospitals.
“It would be wrong to take back money to Treasury simply because we are not agreeing. So I am imploring them (doctors),” Muthoni stated.
She emphasized that the government, under the leadership of Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, remains committed to engaging in ongoing talks with the medics.
“It will be important that they get licences after internship, that is why government has released a huge amout of Ksh.2.4 billion. If it gets to June, it will go back to Treasury, so who loses? I lose and you lose,” she added.
Speaking in Kisumu, PS Muthoni acknowledged that resolving the numerous pending issues in the medical sector requires ongoing dialogue, and the government has already demonstrated its dedication.
She urged health workers, through their unions, to approach the negotiations with sincerity and flexibility, recognizing the complexities involved.