CS Duale Cancels Internship Postings for 348 Nursing Students
The ministry claims the move will be beneficial in maintaining order and fairness in how limited internship opportunities are allocated
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced this on Tuesday. He indicated the move followed deliberation and was in harmony with the Public Service Commission Internship Policy. Photo/Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
The Health Ministry has withdrawn internship notices for 348 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) students. The ministry stated that the students were not performing to internship standards.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced this on Tuesday. He indicated the move followed deliberation and was in harmony with the Public Service Commission Internship Policy.
“Internship advertisements for the Ministry of Health for 348 BScN students have been withdrawn,” Duale said. “This action is in line with the Public Service Commission Internship Policy and Guidelines for the Public Service (2016) as well as our own Internship Policy for Healthcare Professionals (February 2020).”
Policies provide that graduates need to have completed their courses and clearance from their regulating body to be posted for internship.
Duale explained that the affected students have not officially graduated yet. “They are not qualified for an internship,” he said.
The CS added that the ministry will be fair and transparent in the issuance of interns. Priority shall be given to those who have completed their studies and obtained all the required clearances.
The existing internship program has provision for 2,000 BScN internship positions per year,” responded Duale. “These are managed through tough processes that include budgeting, labour planning, and regulatory screening.”
He assured that the government remains committed to opening opportunities for healthcare workers to gain hands-on experience.
“Regardless of these revocations, we will still offer opportunities for nursing graduates and other healthcare workers to learn skills through our internship program,” he added.
Duale also urged students to complete school and receive clearance from their professional body before applying for internship opportunities.
“We would wish every nursing student to complete studies and receive clearance from their professional body. They can then take up the ministry’s structured internship program,” Duale stated.
The ruling affects internship positions that would have otherwise been availed in the next intake. The ministry claims the move will be beneficial in maintaining order and fairness in how limited internship opportunities are allocated among deserving candidates.
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