DOCTOR

What does it take to be a doctor in Kenya?

To be a doctor, you need good grades in KCSE so that you can be admitted to the University to study Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery(MBCHB) course. It is the most popular course among the top KCSE performers in Kenya. It is a 6yr course offered at University of Nairobi (UON), Kenyatta University, Moi and Maseno. Its very competitive and you need perfect scores to be admitted in a regular program.

To be admitted for the regular program, you need to score grade A in KCSE with grade A in Chem., Biology, English/Kiswahili, & Math/Physics.

For parallel programs, you need a minimum mean grade of C+ with a minimum C+ in the cluster subjects. You become a General practitioner (GP).

How the medical professional organized

a) Intern doctors (intern medical officers)

• Are doctor who have just graduated from universities with their 1^st degree and are doing their interaction and practicing under supervision of a consultant.
• Are interns for 1yr in approved hospital
• Once completed, they are licensed to practice.

b) Medical officer (senior house officers)

• Are doctors who have completed internship and are licensed but have not specialized in any field
• Can treat diseases and perform simple surgeries e.g caesarians.

c) Registrars (senior house officers/ Residents

• Are doctors in specialist training in their area of interest
• They graduate with masters which takes not less than 4yrs

d) Consultants (specialists)

• Have completed specialist training. They include surgeons, physicians, pediatricians, obstetricians, radiologists, pathologists, neurosurgeons etc. They are often allowed to open their own clinics.

SALARIES

There are about 2,300 doctors in public hospitals. Of late there has been unrest in the medical field because of salaries. Payment in Kenya compared to other countries is very low and this is has led to brain drain. About the same number (2000) have left the country for greener pastures.

Kenya

• The doctors earn a basic salary of:-

Interns - 30-45k

Medical officers (entry) – 60,000/-

Medical officer after 1yr in employment – 76,000/-

Senior medical officer after 3 yrs in employment – 100,000

Medical specialist – 130,000

There are other allowances such as house allowance, extraneous, hardship etc

Botswana

• Entry level medical (intern) 219,458
• Medical specialist 333,750

Namibia

• Entry level (intern) 312,000

South Africa

Entry Level (intern) 340,191

Medical specialist 1.3 m