The government is planning to import more Cuban doctors into the country, Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki says.
CS Kariuki explains that this would help the government bridge the health human resource gap in the country.
She also points out that the move would also help the Ministry achieve the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which was recently piloted in four counties.
“We need to be innovative and if it means we bring in more medics then we shall. We will, however, engage the union and not just the doctors but all cadres on the matter,” says Kariuki.
She says the number of patients visiting public hospitals in the counties piloting UHC has significantly increased, hence the need to increase the human resource.
Last year, the government brought in 100 specialist doctors from the Central American nation to work in county hospitals across the country.
CS Kariuki says the new Cuban medics will help implement the malaria vector control project using biolarvicides in eight counties in the Western region.
Others will be deployed to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) for joint projects.
The move is set to raise the number of expatriates working in the Kenyan health sector.
1,019 foreign doctors were licensed to practice in Kenya by the end of March 2018.
358 of them are Americans, 143 from India, while Congo has the highest among African countries with 45.
I support the move. This…
I support the move. This will boost capacity in our hospitals as well as improve delivery of health services. Their competence is known world over and so working along our folks, some of that best practices may rub off to our personnel. The other advantage is that these folks have no issues working in any part of the country urban, rural or rural, so the often disadvantaged or marginalized areas can get a qualified doctor for once in 56 years of independence. Apparently very few of our doctors would stand working in marginalized zones, majority of them want to serve in urban areas. Bring more (even nurses) to ease this artificial shortages of health services personnel in Kenya.
I say GO FOR MORE…even if…
I say GO FOR MORE…even if it means Cuban doctors and Cuban nurses ONLY in all Government hospitals.
They are so caring, they practice patient-centered care, which is a pipe dream with Kenyan doctors.
GO FOR MORE!
Wait for big mouth Dr Ouma…
Wait for big mouth Dr Ouma Oluga. He will call for doctors strike. I support the government 100% on this issue.
Why import cuban doctors for…
Why import cuban doctors for 650k a month when the local doctors are paid 300k? Advertise the jobs internationally and you will get better doctors for less.
This is another bottom of the barrel stupid idea from the boy in statehouse. You will not get the same health outcomes in Kenya as there are in Cuba. What cuba has is a health system of nurses, doctors, research, hospitals , clinics etc. I’m sorry parachuting a few doctors into a corrupt and mismanaged health system will not help kenyans. This is just another PR gimmick. Pombe tu!
Sasa there are places, in…
Sasa there are places, in small towns in Kenya where doctors and nurses don’t even have gloves to examine patients.Why don’t we set our priorities straight. Importing expectantly expensive doctors should be the last thing. But utaambia nini this dumb government. Watu wanakifa njaa, watu hawana maji ya kudumisha usafi, the government is busy shaking hands with governments and partners who set up companies that deplete the environment. Money is denied to research companies competent enough to explore and come up with new medication and treatment for ailments wananchi suffer from. Pharmaceutical companies zimekuwa magendo tu! These are things Kenyans need FIXED more than Cuban doctors. Utaambia nini watu wamezoea shortcuts. Like I said this government will go down in history as the WORST EVER! BURE KABISA
this will take our medical…
this will take our medical staff find of going to the streets singing haiku yeti mtaona moto nyinyi