First batch of Cuban doctors arrive today

First batch of Cuban doctors arrive today

The government will on Tuesday receive the first batch of Cuban doctors amid controversy surrounding their pay.

The specialists arrive ahead of their orientation on June 11 with the Health Ministry indicating that the remaining lot will land in the country on Thursday this week.

After their orientation on Monday next week, the doctors are expected to spend an extra month at the Government School of Science as they go through induction before they are dispatched to the counties.

The Cuban specialists include among others three radiologists, 5 nephrologists, orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons and neurologists.

While doctors in the country expressed their disappointment with the decision to hire the Cubans, the government insists the specialists from Cuba will build capacity in Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals across the country.

It has now emerged that the doctors will be paid based on the civil service Job group S under the Government pay structure provided by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

The least paid doctor among them will receive Ksh.390,270 while the highest paid will pocket a total of Ksh.450,660.

The amount includes a basic salary of Ksh.120,270 for the least paid and Ksh.180,660 for the highest paid.

A house allowance of Ksh.60,000, emergency call of Ksh.80,000, Ksh.20,000 commuter allowance, Ksh.60,000 non practice, Ksh.20,000 risk allowance, Ksh.30,000 extraneous allowance and a Ksh.10,000 leave allowance all payable once a year.

Furnished apartments, security, transport and a monthly salary are some of the privileges that the 100 Cuban doctors will enjoy while serving the country for two years.

Already, a number of counties have begun budgeting for the doctors. For instance, Busia County has set aside Ksh.576, 800, money which will be used for the purchase of household items for the two Cuban doctors.

Tags:

cuba

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories