The Kenyan government is said to have lost over Sh2 Billion in 2017 as a result of 700 doctors ditching public hospitals for private practice or to further their education.
According to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), an estimated 2,300 doctors left public hospitals for private practice between 2014 and 2016.
KMPDU further indicated that the denial of opportunity to further studies is a major contributor to the trend that has seen the doctor-patient ratio stand at 1:6,109.
[caption caption="Ouma Oluga KMPDU Secretary-General "]
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This Kenyan doctor-patient ratio is six times higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:1,000.
“The biggest issue is career progression, which became an issue especially when the county governments came in place," KMPDU 's Secretary-General Ouma Oluga was quoted by The Standard.
"For me, it is not right for counties to deny doctors a chance to study,” Dr. Oluga expressed his dissatisfaction over counties' move that is impeding efforts by doctors to further their education.
Besides, poor pay and working conditions are said to be among the primary motivators of the migration that has seen doctors either join the private practice or seek employment abroad.
In effect, more doctors are deserting the government-run facilities than the number graduating from the universities indicating the possibility of a greater disparity in the doctor-patient ratio.
Reports by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (MPDB) have also revealed that out of the country's 11,331 doctors, only 6,020 are practicing which is way below the recommendation by WHO standards of at least 63,000 more doctors in Kenya.
[caption caption="Members of KMPDU rioting in Nairobi"]
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Medical Services Director Jackson Kioko indicated that the distribution of specialists across regions is a greater challenge.
