Wycliffe Nyamasege
Kenyan doctors studying in Cuba will now be paid an additional of Sh144,000 every month on top of their monthly payments, the government has said.
Currently, the doctors are paid stipends amounting to Sh50,800 monthly.
According to Health PS Susan Mochache, the figure was increased from Sh36,000 last year after doctors complained that the money was too little.
The doctors had also raised concerns over free accommodation and meals they were being offered. They demanded allowances that would enable them to take care of their own accommodation and food.
Appearing before the parliamentary Health Committee on Thursday, PS Mochache told legislators that the doctors have been receiving Sh50,000 book allowance and a research allowance of Sh75,000 on top of their salary.
After the increase, the trainees will pocket at least Sh400,000 every month.
The new Sh144,000 will be paid from next month.
The PS appeared before the committee following concerns over the death of Dr Ali Hamisi Juma, a brother to Likoni Member of Parliament Mishi Mboko, who was found dead on Sunday, March 17 at his residence in Havana, Cuba.
Dr Juma, who was among the 50 medics sent to Cuba for further studies at the University of Medical Sciences in Havana, is said to have committed suicide.
Poor living conditions have been linked to his death.
According to MP Mishi Mboko, her brother had raised several complaints related to work frustrations.
The legislator revealed that Dr Ali had vowed to quit the exchange program few days before his death.
Read:Burial Of Kenyan Doctor Who Died In Cuba Set For Friday
Reports indicate that the doctors have been struggling due to the high cost of living in the foreign country.
Following his death, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has asked the government to terminate deal with Cuba.
In response, On Wednesday, the government announced that it had has sent a team of experts to Cuba to investigate the exchange programme in the Caribbean nation.
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