Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-13 21:00:00
The demand for Kenyan health workers, particularly nurses and doctors, is high overseas, with the United Kingdom and the Middle East being the key destinations. However, this comes at a significant cost to Kenya, which invests time and resources in training these healthcare professionals.
Statistics show that there are only 14 doctors for every 10,000 Kenyans, indicating a shortage of medical professionals in the country. Allowing these professionals to leave in search of better opportunities abroad poses a significant loss to the nation.
The shortage of nurses is already being keenly felt in public hospitals, leading to understaffing in health centers and public hospitals across the country. Ironically, there are thousands of qualified but unemployed nurses in Kenya, some of whom choose to relocate overseas.
Since health is a devolved function in Kenya, governors are against the idea of allowing nurses to be sent abroad, citing staff shortages in public hospitals. On the other hand, the National Nurses Association of Kenya (Nnak) argues that the shortage is artificial and accuses the counties of failing to employ nurses and other health personnel.
The healthcare sector is on the brink of a crisis, with poor and uncompetitive employment terms driving health professionals to seek opportunities abroad. The World Health Organization recommends a ratio of 25 nurses for 10,000 people, yet in Kenya, one nurse is responsible for 40 patients. Additionally, the lack of equipment and facilities further discourages healthcare professionals from practicing in the country.
To address the issue, the government announced plans to send 2,500 nurses to Saudi Arabia, and there is a pact to dispatch another 200,000 to the UK. However, it is imperative for the authorities to develop policies that discourage emigration and enhance the retention of quality professionals in public health facilities for the benefit of the 50 million people in Kenya.
Ultimately, it is vital to provide attractive employment terms and opportunities for healthcare professionals to encourage them to stay in the country and continue serving the population. This will help mitigate the healthcare crisis and ensure that the investment in training these professionals is not wasted.
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