The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
Health workers during the Kenya Progressive Nurses Association 27th Annual Scientific Conference at Bishop Nicholas Stam Pastoral Centre in Kakamega, Wednesday. Their leaders have opposed devolution of health services. [PHOTO: Benjamin Sakwa/STANDARD]
By KENNEDY OKWACH
KAKAMEGA, KENYA: Health workers have promised to push on with a strike over devolution of services from national to county governments.
The workers, who include doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians met Wednesday at Bishop Stam Pastoral Centre, Kakamega for their 27th Kenya Progressive Nurses Annual Scientific Conference and vowed to go on strike if their grievances are not met.
“We are all opposed to the Government plans to devolve health services to county governments,” Jophinus Musundi, Chairperson of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) said. “As health workers, we declare that we will not accept any move by the national Government to devolve health services to county governments. We demand that the national Government should consult with all stakeholders before implementing this plan,” he said.
Union Secretary General Seth Panyako said the Government should discuss all issues raised by nurses that challenge smooth delivery of services. “We have written a letter to the Attorney General and the ministry and we are waiting for responses. If they fail to respond, we will resort to other avenues to champion of our rights,” he said.
Nurses are demanding that the Government stops devolving health services to county governments.
They instead want a Health Service Commission established to coordinate and supervise health issues.
They are also demanding that the Government employs mid wives and all nurses on permanent and pensionable terms and include nurse representatives in the ministry of Health structure.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Speaking at the meeting, the Kenya Medical Practioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Sultan Matendechere said they will not accept the plan to devolve health services because workers allowances have been reduced. “Health is an essential sector for any developing country. We are warning the Government that they will cause a constitutional crisis by paralysing services in all public hospitals if the devolution plan is not stopped,” Matendechere said.
There are fears that devolution of health services would accelerate the exodus of health professionals from the public service. They emanate from suggestions that doctors’ salaries would be reduced by more than half.
join