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"speaker": null,
"content": "WELFARE OF MEDICAL INTERNS"
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"id": 1520983,
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"speaker_name": "Sen. Kibwana",
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"id": 277,
"legal_name": "Kibwana Kivutha",
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. Madam Waziri, my questions are as follows- (1) Have medical interns been paid their monthly stipend up to date? If not, could the Cabinet Secretary explain the delay and state when the Government will streamline the process to guarantee timely payments? (2) What is the Ministry doing to improve the working conditions for medical interns, who currently handle heavy workloads and work for extremely long hours under intense psychological pressure? (3) Could the Cabinet Secretary provide an overview of the support systems and programs currently being implemented by the Government to address the physical and mental well-being of medical interns? (4) Could the Cabinet Secretary explain what the Government is doing to ensure that the mentorship program of medical interns effectively integrates both professional development and emotional support? I thank you."
},
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"id": 1520984,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1520984/?format=api",
"text_counter": 264,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Abdul Haji",
"speaker_title": "The Temporary Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Cabinet Secretary, proceed."
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"id": 1520985,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1520985/?format=api",
"text_counter": 265,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "The Cabinet Secretary for Health",
"speaker_title": "",
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"content": "(Hon. (Dr.) Deborah Barasa): Hon. Temporary Speaker and Members of the Senate, in the Financial Year 2023/2024, the Ministry was to post 3,759 interns as per the matrix below at a cost of Kshs4,873,708,800 for the 12 months, but there was no budgetary allocation for the second cohort that was to be posted in January 2024 and this delayed the posting."
},
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"id": 1520986,
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"text_counter": 266,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "The Cabinet Secretary for Health",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
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"text_counter": 267,
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"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "S/NO INTERNS JANUARY, 2024 COHORT II"
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{
"id": 1520988,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1520988/?format=api",
"text_counter": 268,
"type": "other",
"speaker_name": "",
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"speaker": null,
"content": "1 Medical Officer Interns 849 2 Dental Officer Interns 72 3 Phamacists 289 4 Nursing Officer Interns 1134 5 Clinical Officers 145 (Degree) 6 Clinical Officers 1270 (Diploma)"
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"id": 1520989,
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"text_counter": 269,
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"speaker": null,
"content": "TOTAL 3759"
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"id": 1520990,
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"content": "The Ministry consequently requested the National Treasury vide our letter Reference No.MOH/FIN/BUDGET/VOL 1 (15) dated 12th September 2023 for additional funding to cater for posting of the aforementioned second cohort, which the National Treasury vide their letter RES1083/23/01 ‘A’ of 9th October, 2023 indicated the funding could not be availed due to the tight fiscal space. Following the end of the industrial action by the Kenya Medical Practitioner Pharmacy and Dentists Union, which culminated in the signing of the Return to Work Formula on the 8th May, 2024, the parties engaged in negotiation on the matter of posting interns. The negotiations resulted in an agreement to post the interns with effect from 1st August, 2024. Further negotiations on the payment of interns saw the parties agree to effect payment as per Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2017 rates. With regards to the Government's effort to streamline the process and ensure timely payment, the Ministry has formally engaged the National Treasury to facilitate the prompt and adequate release of funds to support seamless operation. The Ministry is working closely with stakeholders to establish a clear, pre-agreed framework for the posting of interns and the modalities of their engagement, ensuring efficiency and predictability in the process. Hon. Temporary Speaker and Members, regarding what the Ministry is doing to improve the working conditions, the Ministry of Health is working with the Kenya Medical Practitioners’ Dentists Council (KMPDC). It has implemented a range of policy and regulatory interventions to safeguard the mental health, well-being and overall welfare of medical personnel, particularly medical interns, taking note of the strenuous nature of their learning context. The key measures undertaken include- (1) Strengthening mental health support, where the Ministry has directed all internship training centres to appoint dedicated personnel responsible for conducting regular mental health screening and ensuring access to qualified mental health professionals. These professionals provide essential guidance, training and psychological support to interns fostering a healthier work environment. This initiative has greatly improved mental health awareness among health care providers and the broader medical community, reinforcing the importance of mental well- being in high-pressure clinical settings. Furthermore, mental health professionals stationed at training centres play a vital role in supporting interns, offering timely interventions and addressing emerging concerns. To enhance coordinations, these The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1520991,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1520991/?format=api",
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"content": "professionals have been working closely with KMPDC in managing cases that require specialised mental health interventions. (2) Enhancement of welfare and support mechanism. All health care institutions are mandated to establish comprehensive welfare programmes, including structured mentorship framework, chaplaincy services and peer support structures. These measures aim to create a conducive work environment where medical personnel may freely express professional concerns without fear of victimisation, reprisal or undue prejudice. (3) Regulation of workload and rest periods. In strict adherence to the Employment Act, 2007, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 and other applicable labour and medical internship regulations, the Ministry and KMPDC require all health facilities to monitor and regulate interns' working hours. These measures are designed to prevent excessive workload and mitigate the risk of occupational burnout. Through these initiatives, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the psychological well-being of medical interns, ensuring they receive the necessary support to navigate the demands of their training effectively. Part (c) of the Question is asking for us to provide an overview to the support system and the programme currently being implemented by the Government to address the physical and well-being of interns. The Ministry of Health in Kenya has implemented several initiatives to support the physical and mental well-being of medical interns. (1) We developed the National Guidelines on Workplace Mental Wellness in October 2024. These guidelines aim to promote mental well-being and establish a robust support system for employees and health professionals in training, including medical interns facing mental health challenges. The Ministry advocates for mental health prioritisation in workplaces, calling for the united effort, urging investments in mental health clinics across level 4 hospitals, the implementation of these guidelines by employers and the incorporation of mental wellness programmes into school curricula. (2) Integration of mental health into primary care. Acknowledging the shortage of mental health professions, the Ministry has taken proactive steps to integrate mental health services into Primary Health Care (PHC). This strategy enhances access to mental health support, ensuring that individuals, including medical interns, can receive timely interventions within community-based health care settings. By embedding mental health services into primary care, the Ministry is equipping frontline health care providers with the necessary skills to identify, assess and manage common mental health conditions. This approach strengthens early detection and intervention, reducing the burden of specialised mental health facilities. Medical interns in particular benefit from this integration, as they receive both training and direct support in recognising and addressing mental health challenges. This initiative fosters a more supportive and responsive health care environment, promoting overall well-being. Additionally, the Ministry is working to enhance collaboration between mental health professionals and primary care providers to ensure seamless referral and comprehensive care for individuals in need. (3) Clinical guidelines for mental disorder. In July 2024, the Ministry launched Kenya's first Clinical Guidelines for Mental Disorder. These guidelines, along with the Mental Health Gap Action Programme E-training, aim to improve the identification, The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}
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