Let’s accept Cuban doctors to resuscitate our health system

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o receiving the Cuban doctors at JKIA. [Photo: Courtesy]

The Government has hired about 100 Cuban doctors to address the unacceptable doctor-to-patient ratio in Kenya. The target for this partnership is to hire specialists in complex areas of medicine, including ontology, nephrology, dermatology and to build expertise and capacity at grassroots hospitals. A closer reading of healthcare systems in the world justify that Cuba has one of the most advanced and sophisticated systems which other countries need to borrow. The Cuban health system is recognised worldwide for its excellence and its efficiency, particularly in preventive medicine.

Despite extremely limited resources and the dramatic impact caused by the economic sanctions imposed by the United States for more than half a century, Cuba has managed to guarantee access to care for all segments of the population and obtain results similar to those of the most developed nations. However, the decision to hire the doctors has elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans and stiff opposition from the doctor’s union who have faulted the Government’s plans to hire medical workers from Cuba, while thousands are jobless in Kenya. To me it seems the Government has got it right this time round.