The Ministry of Health has announced the fate of medics who had been engaged in the management of Covid-19 across the country and whose contracts expired in February.
The Council of Governors received a request from the Ministry of Health on March 23 to allow the healthcare workers to serve for a further six months.
“This is to inform you that the Public Service Commission vide letter Ref No. PSC / 7 Vol .IV / (61) dated 3rd February 2021 has granted authority for renewal of contracts for the Healthcare workers engaged in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic for a further period of six (6) months," read the document by Health PS Susan Mochache.
The delay in the extension of the contracts had caused jitters in county hospitals where the medics were stationed.
The Council of Governors then held a meeting with Ag Health Director-General Patrick Amoth over the same.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) had also urged the government to address the acute shortage of healthcare workers.
“We urge the Ministry of Health and National Treasury to fast-track the contract renewal process of the 156 hired to work in isolation and treatment centres across the country,” KMPDU Acting Secretary General/CEO Chibanzi Mwachonda said in a press conference on March 23.
This comes as the country battles a third wave of the virus which has recently claimed the lives of many Kenyans including prominent personalities.
Medics have sounded an alarm that many hospitals are full to capacity, urging Kenyans to observe the safety measures to prevent them from contracting the deadly virus.
“The rising numbers of Covid-19 infections have not spared healthcare workers. 10 doctors are currently admitted to various hospitals yet we are at a point where we need many doctors in the counties,” KMPDU warned.
The rising numbers of Covid-19 cases have seen a high demand for oxygen by patients in hospitals.
Referral hospitals have begun plans to build their own oxygen generating plants with support from development partners.
“All our Machakos Level 5 hospital’s 15 ICU beds & additional 12 HDU beds (Total 27) full with severe Covid patients. All Machakos 42 ICU/HDU beds with oxygen points are also full. People are waiting for others to die to get a bed,” Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua cautioned.
