City hall is changing tune after its plan to import more doctors emerged on Thursday with reports indicating there were ongoing negotiations to have at least 10 Indian doctors medics hired by the Nairobi County government.
A local daily on Friday authoritatively reported that the government of India had agreed to let ten medics handed work permits in Nairobi and that Governor Mike Sonko's executive is keen on formalizing the agreement.
The Standard on Friday reported that the plan had been confirmed by County Executive Committee member for Health Hitan Majevda.
“The Indian government has already agreed to the deal although verbally. Once it is put down on paper, it will greatly and positively impact health services in Nairobi,” he was quoted.
[caption caption="Nairobi county health CEC Hitan Majevda meets Indian doctors at Mbagathi hospital "]
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The plan comes at a time the government is expecting 100 Cuban doctors, at least two of whom shall be posted to each county.
Mr Hajevda is reported to have told the publication that most of the City doctors fail to take their work seriously.
Allegedly, he further accused the local clinical officers of absconding duty in most cases while covering up for each other even at times of emergencies.
Attempts to reach the CEC on the matter bore no fruit as he failed to pick calls or respond to messages seeking further clarification on the matter.
In March this year, the county government invited a host of Indian doctors who Governor Sonko mentioned would train their Kenyan counterparts on conducting the Mbagathi hospital's maiden kidney transplant. The reports caused outrage among Kenyans with a majority faulting the move.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Ouma Oluga had termed the move as outrageous, urging Governor Sonko to consider promoting local talent.
Mr. Oluga noted: "We have surgeons who perform this operation right here in Kenya. This theatrics won't make our system better. Addressing the real problems facing Mbagathi and workers' will!" We’ve been doing Kidney transplants for a while now. Karibu!"
KMPDU is yet to respond on the revealed plan to have local the 10 Indian medics hired even though the Union had softened its stance on the Cuban professionals sought by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta in Cuba"]
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