Sh38m to hire more health staff at Pumwani Maternity Hospital

Nairobi: Hiring of additional health workers at Pumwani Maternity Hospital will cost the county government Sh38 million for the next three months.

Governor Evans Kidero has announced that in order to support the hospital, the county will hire 100 nurses, ten specialist doctors, three sonographers and four clinical officers at the approved rates.

"I accept that there have been challenges in this facility and I assure you of our total commitment on this matter," said Mr Kidero.

Addressing nurses and doctors at the facility yesterday, he said the health workers' risk allowances had  been paid in February and uniform allowances would be included in the April payslip.

The governor said he has directed the Acting County Head of Finance to clear the outstanding balance of Sh900,000 in unpaid locum allowances. He said the County Public Service Board has approved the engagement of nurses on locum basis to alleviate staff shortage.

He directed the opening of the Intensive Care Unit/High Dependancy Unit and further instructed the management to ensure that the third theatre is in operation.

The governor asked health workers to embrace dialogue instead of boycotting duty.