4,000 jobless doctors could be on their way to the payroll after President William Ruto’s pledge on Tuesday, February 14.
In a meeting that was held at State House Nairobi, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union (KMPDU) revealed a raft of resolutions from their meeting with Ruto.
In a statement, KMPDU revealed that 100,000 Community Health Workers (CHWs) would be hired which would have a ripple effect in employing 4,000 jobless doctors.
“The President reiterated that he was keen on employing more healthcare workers to help him deliver his Universal Healthcare Promise.
As such, he pledged to hire 100,000 community health workers (CHWs) and 4000 doctors,” read part of the statement.
The Union further detailed that there would be a hub and spoke model to organise the CHWs.
“It was also agreed that a hub and spoke model would be applied where these CHWs would be organised in a 25-member cohort, each reporting to a medical doctor. This will culminate in the employment of all our 4000 jobless colleagues,” the statement read.
Additionally, the Union requested the President to convert the contractual jobs of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff to permanent and pensionable in line with his campaign pledge, 'Equity for All'
"The President made clear his desire to have a publicly funded Universal healthcare program, which would ensure there is increased access to quality healthcare without anyone suffering financial loss."
Equally, the Union revealed that Ruto would initiate the formation of a Health Service Commission (HSC) to prevent industrial disharmony in the health sector.
Ruto also expressed his disappointment with the industrial disharmony in the health sector and promised to undertake further consultations on how to initiate the process of the Health Service Commission (HSC) formation," the statement affirmed.
According to KMPDU, Ruto made clear his desire to have a publicly funded Universal healthcare program, which would ensure there is increased access to quality healthcare without anyone suffering financial loss.
The health agenda featured prominently in Ruto's manifesto and during the 2022 elections, with the Kenya Kwanza administration promising to institute sweeping reforms.
