NAIROBI: The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Uasin Gishu County has in the past experienced a lot of bad press due to strikes which tended to deprive the institution its reputation as one of the best referral hospitals in the region.
Following a strike that paralysed operations at the hospital for three days towards last month , the hospital's management and employees agreed on a return-to-work formula through a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
However, due to a certain level of mistrust between employers and employees, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and the Moi Hospital management constituted a committee of three members each to ascertain the genuineness of the agreement before appending signatures. Issues of general concern to the nurses who had downed their tools include promotions, working hours, allowances and remuneration. These issues pervade all corners of the medical services and all is not well with the medical services in the country.
Devolving medical services to the counties did not auger well with many. Doctors and nurses felt counties were not well equipped to handle medical services. All indications are that the medical sector is headed for collapse unless the Government undertakes radical measures to arrest the situation. The exodus of trained doctors and nurses from Government-owned hospitals is alarming.
A recent report by the World Bank indicates that doctors spend only 62 per cent of their working time in their duty stations. The report further shows that although correct diagnosis for diseases is at 86 per cent, only 54 per cent of cases get the right treatment. According to the report, this explains the big gap between what is taught at college and practical skills. Lack of resources at most medical facilities is one of the leading causes of inefficiency and the World Bank survey reveals that at least 85 per cent of hospitals in Kenya experience drug shortages.
While the Government should be applauded for putting up hospital infrastructure within walking distance of many people in rural areas, these efforts will not be worthwhile if the hospitals lack personnel and requisite medication, compelling poor villagers to buy medicines from local pharmacies.
The other question is whether Kenyans receive the right medication. India is the largest source of the medical supplies to Kenya but fears have emerged that the generic drugs readily available in all pharmacies across the country are formulated on what is called 'false data'.
What this generally means is that their efficacy cannot be determined. Consequently, 700 of the drugs sourced from India have been suspended from the market in European countries. The Government should take measures to ensure that such drugs do not pose more danger than the relief they are supposed to offer.
Counties on the other hand must handle medical services issues professionally. While commissioning ambulances in Kakamega County, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya blamed medical staff of stealing drugs and other facilities. The Ambulance initiative between the Kenya Red Cross and some county governments like Kakamega, Isiolo and Narok is commendable in as much as the ambulance services will be offered free to those in need.
The argument is that hiring an ambulance at a cost of Sh600,000 a month (covering medical supplies, personnel and vehicle maintenance) is more economical than buying one. This is only one way, so much needs to be done.
All in all, incentives must be put in place to motivate health workers and equip the hospitals with the right medicine and hardware to restore the lost glory.