Lecturers and other workers serving in job groups A to N at Kenya Medical Training colleges Wednesday received a 16 per cent pay increase.

Medical Services minister, Prof Anyang' Nyong'o announced the salary increment for 1,459 workers at all the country's 29 centres of the Kenya Medical Training College.

The minister said the increment will come into effect on July 1.

Left out

Prof Nyong'o said workers in job groups A to N working in the colleges had been left out when civil servants received salary increments.

The Government will fork out Sh71 million to meet the KMTC staff salary arrears.

The minister was speaking during a tour of the Kenya Medical Training College in Nairobi.

The Permanent secretary, Dr Hezron Nyangito, confirmed that the salary increase for KMTC staff had been approved and would be reflected in this year's budget, to be presented next month.

Prof Nyong'o advised KMTC's board to develop guidelines on the establishment of new institutions so that political expediency did not affect the quality of training for medical staff.

"I know that a fellow minister has requested that we start an MTC at Chwele in Bungoma, and I would want guidelines on what should be fulfilled first before we flood the country with such colleges," he said.

Board praised

The minister praised the current Kenya Medical Training College board, chaired by Prof James Kahindi, for reforming the medical training sector.

Meanwhile, Medical Services assistant minister Danson Mungatana Wednesday warned those offering X-ray services without registration certificates that they will be closed down in 30 days.

He said the radiation profession was being abused by quacks who used X-ray machines without qualification.

He was speaking at Kenyatta National Hospital during a tour of the Radiation Board offices.