The Cuban doctors hired by the government to offer services in local medical facilities are expected to arrive in the country on Monday amid the criticism from local practitioners surrounding their contracting.

Kenyan medics have vehemently opposed the decision by the Government to bring in 100 specialists from Cuba , saying there are scores  of local unemployed doctors who could have gotten the jobs.

According to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), there are 1,683 unemployed doctors, 171 of whom are specialists who could have been employed by the counties.

DOCTOR SUES TO STOP CUBAN MEDICS DEPLOYMENT

Dr Samson Misango, a consultant surgeon, moved  to have the  government barred from bringing in the Cuban doctors.

Dr Misango argues that there is no evidence that the government tried to recruit Kenyan doctors before reaching out to Cuba.

“I am aware that the Cuban doctors are not competitively recruited to confirm local doctors were not available, an action that amounts to discrimination against local medical practitioners, who have been locked out of opportunity,” he says.

Dr Misango is seeking orders restraining the respondents from issuing licences and work permits to Cuban doctors or any other foreign medical practitioners pending hearing and determination of the case.

CUBAN DOCTORS NOT OVER PAID, HEALTH CS SAYS

The Cuban doctors are set to be placed in the job category S, which is the highest paid rank for civil servants. The medics will take home a salary  of up to Sh882,180 per month.

Health Cabinet Secretary Beth Mugo has however denied claims that the Cuban doctors will be paid more than their local counterparts.

“The doctors are being taken in under Job Group S and that is where the specialists are graded. So they are coming in as specialists,” Health Secretary Sicily Kariuki said.

KMPDU secretary-general Ouma Oluga has however maintained that the pay is also discriminatory compared to what local specialists earn.

“Our specialists according to the CBA should be in Job Group S and T but they are in M, N or P. quite discriminative,” Oluga said.

The 100 Cuban medics, who are specialists in neurology, dermatology and radiology, will be distributed across the 47 counties.