Francis Atwoli: Revert health function to national Government

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli. (Photo: File/Standard)

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has called upon the government to take back the health sector following increasing cases of striking medics.

Secretary General Francis Atwoli has in the wake of the on-going crisis warned of a bigger problem if the current impasse is not resolved urgently.

Cotu is now calling upon the national government to embark on retake the devolved health services

However, the government has been categorical that it will not interfere with the sector.

Whereas the Deputy President William Ruto concurs that the health sector is facing many challenges, he assured Kenyans that Nairobi will not interfere with the running of devolved functions despite claims by the Opposition and some governors that the central government was undermining devolution.

But Atwoli questioned the capability of some governors to manage health, saying they were to blame for the current crisis, which has seen hundreds of patients go through untold suffering.

Atwoli was speaking at Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha during a consultative meeting between Cotu and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) over the recently introduced rates.

He expressed concern that NHIF had reneged on some agreements it entered into with Cotu during their meeting in Mombasa.

NHIF CEO Simon Kirgotty said there were anomalies in fully implementing the agreemen, but was quick to add they are ready to address any pending issues.

He said NHIF is working to ensure all Kenyans receive better medical health care.