The Kenya Health Professionals Society (KHPS) on Sunday, July 9, issued an ultimatum to the government to employ 20,000 health workers immediately.
KHPS, an umbrella representing six health workers’ unions, further stated that the Ministry of Heath should embark on annual employment to equip the country's health sector.
In a press statement, the society noted that failure of the government to meet its demands, healthcare workers across the country will down their tools starting Thursday, July 13, at midnight.
“Lack of adequate staffing of health professionals in their right mix ranks high among the myriad of challenges affecting the health sector.
“It is unfortunate that this country has failed to establish a framework that would ensure commensurate staffing of health workers with the population growth in the last six decades,” KHPS explained.
The body noted that while it did not support employment under hospital-based contracts, counties should consider absorbing all health workers who face imminent dismissal to ensure uninterrupted delivery of health services.
The health professionals body noted that President William Ruto’s government had promised the employment of 20,000 healthcare workers but had not set aside funds for such exercise in the 2023/2024 financial year.
KHPS also raised concern over a plan by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to increase monthly contributions to 2.75 per cent of gross salary.
“Many Kenyans have challenges using NHIF cards to access health services against a background of corruption scandals bedeviling the institution.
“NHIF must explain to Kenyans how the enhancement of contributions will enable them to access quality services without suffering catastrophic financial harm,” the body stated.
KHPS is composed of the following bodies; Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), and Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU).
Others include; the Kenya National Union Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Officers (KNUPT), and Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians (KUNAD).
The demands were issued the same day Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) demanded a review of salaries for its members and gave the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) an ultimatum of 14 days to convene talks.
