KMPDU decry low budget allocation to the sector

The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is decrying what it terms as a low budgetary allocation to the health sector.

In the 2022/23 budget National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Ukur Yatani allocated Ksh 146.8 billion shillings to the health sector, the biggest share ever, but KMPDU says the amount translates to only 4.4% of the total budget, which they say is a raw deal.

On April, 27, 2001, African governments made a historic pledge to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to the health sector.

This vow became known as the Abuja Declaration. Kenya is among countries yet to implement the declaration as evident during the 2022/23 budget reading last Thursday.

Although National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Ukur Yatani termed it, the biggest allocation ever to the sector this amount only represents 4.4% of the total budget and less than what was given last year.

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union further accused County governments of disregarding the welfare of health workers in the country, citing failure to pay medics on time.

The doctors are threatening to mobilize nationwide demonstrations beginning May r if the government fails to heed to their cry.