The association’s National Chairman Dr Elly Nyam while addressing journalists on Wednesday said the health sector has greatly deteriorated since it was devolved and hence the need to take a corrective action/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 10- The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has called for formation of a health body that will help coordinate health issues between the National and County Governments.
The association says the current challenges facing the health sector need an independent body that will work as a liaison between the two parties.
The association’s National Chairman Dr Elly Nyam while addressing journalists on Wednesday said the health sector has greatly deteriorated since it was devolved and hence the need to take a corrective action.
“Undeniably, Kenya has made significant gains in healthcare that cannot be wished away and these must be protected at all costs,” he stated.
“The recent happenings in the sector threaten to take the country back significantly and corrective action must be taken immediately because if neglected it will be significantly expensive and time consuming to regain the lost ground.”
He singled out late remuneration of health workers as some of the challenges requiring urgent redress.
Nyam pointed out that medical interns have not been paid for the last five months, despite continuing to offer service “under the most difficult circumstances.”
“Internship training remains a role of the National Government. It is difficult to understand how these young highly trained Kenyans, a majority of who are from poor backgrounds, are expected to continue undertaking back breaking tasks month after month without pay.”
He said KMA was ready to help both the County and the National Governments navigate this transition safely and without undue disruption of services.
If the body is formed, they say key among its functions should be the handling and the rationalisation of human resources for health in order to ensure that the health of Kenyans is safeguarded.
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