The Chairman of the Salaries and Benefits Commission (SRC) Lynn Mengich has explained the reason for the advice to pay Trainee doctors an allowance of sh70, 000.
Mengich on Tuesday said the commission’s advice that the figure should be adjusted from sh206, 000 to sh70, and 000 was based on the principle of affordability, sustainability, justice and equality.
Speaking in an interview on a TV station he sai that graduate doctors who are currently earning different amount will not be affected by the current changes.
He added that SRC gave advice in accordance with its constitutional mandate. He continue said the constitution gives the commission the authority to advice on payments in any money paid from public funds.
According to Mengich, there has been an increase in the number of graduates and health professionals graduating from various colleges and universities over the years.
With increase numbers and future sustainability considerations, it is not financially feasible to continue paying them high wages.
Mengich emphasized the principles of justice and equality, saying that the highest paid student in the government currently receives sh25, 000
The chairman stressed that what is happening is not a reduction as the affected are graduates who have graduated from the university so they do not get any money.
Acting DG OF Health Patrick Amoth last week said unlike 10 years ago when the University of Nairobi was the only medical institution producing 90 to 100 graduates per year, there are currently 12 medical training institutions today.
He noted that these institutions are currently close to 1,000 more graduates as a result of the module II program. Despite the large numbers, the resources allocated to the ministry remain the same, Amoth said.
The Chairman of the Union of Doctors, Pharmacists and Dentists in Kenya Abi Mwachi has maintained that the government must respect the 2017-21 Collective Agreement in general.
He said the release of Sh2.4 billion by the government aims to strengthen what he called illegal salary cuts for junior doctors.