Top doctor to earn Sh1.4m per month in strike windfall

The highest paid doctor will now earn Sh1.4 million every month, according to the return-to-work formula signed by the medics union and the government.

Previously, the top-paid doctor, the CEO of Kenyatta National National Hospital, earned approximately Sh1.2 million.

The lowest paid doctor at the referral hospital, an entry-level medic, will earn Sh413,785, up from the Sh289,186 before the strike.

The government said the new salaries will begin in the new financial year.

Salaries of the rest of the doctors including those employed in lower level facilities have also been raised.

Their union said they had also agreed on other benefits for its members, such as a comprehensive insurance cover, mortgage and car loans.

“The hospital will procure an insurance scheme to cover all employees against accident, which may occur anytime, anywhere whether on duty or not these insurances shall not in any way affect any personal insurance policy that an individual employee may have taken out for himself/herself,” the union said in communication to its members based at KNH.

The national government also promised to provide Sh3.5 billion to pay doctors the arrears backdated to 2017.

“The basic salary arrears accrued by doctors under the employment by county governments as of June 30, 2024, shall be settled in five years with effect from July 1, 2024. The payment tenure shall be subject to annual review, with the possibility of reducing the payment timelines,” the return-to-work formula document says.

The national government also acquiesced to doctors demands for promotions.

The state agreed to employ 2,000 additional doctors to support the universal health coverage.

The agreement now leaves the clinical officers hanging, since they have not held any negotiation with the ministry.

They have been on strike, seeking a collective bargaining agreement with the government.

The doctors ended their strike on Wednesday afternoon.

"After 56 days, KMPDU signs agreement, ending nationwide doctors' strike," MoH said.

Speaking after signing the return-to-work agreement, KMPDU secretary general Davji Atellah confirmed the doctor's strike is indeed called off.

"We had a long meeting today with the National Advisory Council, which is the highest decision-making organ and they endorsed we sign this return-to-work formula today so it can pave the way for doctors to return to work within 24 hours from now," he said.

"That means the strike that began on March 13, has been called off."

He said the government has insisted the doctors need to believe in them.

"We have decided to take the promise for the last time, as we take this, one of the fundamental issues that is of doctor interns is still pending,"

Atellah said they could not agree on the issue of posting interns because the union wanted the doctors intern posted immediately per the CBA, yet the government wanted them to wait for the court litigation before the agreement.

"All the doctor interns will have to wait a little bit longer, we have agreed on 60 days that they will not be posted but we will be having conversations on this issue," he said.

Atellah assured doctors the union will always endeavour to protect their rights.

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha expressed gratitude to all parties involved in the negotiations, acknowledging the tireless efforts of Ministry of Health staff, principal secretaries, technical officers and the Whole-of-Nation approach committee, led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

The Cabinet Secretary also commended the Industrial and Labour Relations court for its crucial role in facilitating the resolution.

She lauded the dedication of healthcare professionals, saying they remained committed to their duties amid the challenging circumstances.

As part of the resolution, plans are underway to review staffing norms and standards, enhance HRH coordination through the Kenyan Health Human Resource Advisory Council and establish an intergovernmental task force to address unresolved issues.