The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has given an update on the status of the implementation of the Return to Work Formula (RTWF) signed between striking doctors and the government on May 8, 2024.
KMPDU on Monday held a meeting with Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muriuki to track the progress of the implementation of the RTWF.
The meeting focused on the key grievances that doctors wanted to be addressed.
For paying intern doctors, KMPDU was told that interns who missed their April salaries will be paid together with the June salary since they are set to complete their internship in July 2024.
“We proposed that the posting of the next cohort be done by mid-June even as we continue to find mutually agreeable Terms of Service both in and out of court,” said KMPDU in a statement.
They also observed that basic salary arrears for members who have not yet received their pay will be settled and a complete list of the affected individuals has already been forwarded for consideration.
On providing a comprehensive medical cover for health workers, the ministry said that the move to avail the cover is being processed and will be available by July 1 when the current enhanced NH1F cover will lapse and transition to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Other contentious matters included promotions which the ministry assured would be availed to those deserving and also create staffing policies that would see 2,000 doctors being hired annually.
Likewise on the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), “the union has the communicated to Ministry the need to fully implement the 2017 CBA before a new CBA negotiation is commenced.”
“We commend the Ministry of Health for being proactive in ensuring that the agreement signed on 8th May 2024 is fully implemented and would like to encourage the County Government to emulate them, especially on promotions.”
The union added that they are also planning to meet the Council of Governors (CoG) to track the progress of the RTWF’s implementation in counties.
