The quest for better jobs outside the country, more so in the health sector, by the National Government now seems to have rubbed the Council of Governors (CoG) the wrong way.

According to the CoG, it is a paradox that health workers are being sent out of the country to seek greener pastures yet, the situation in the country is dire, with governors now demanding a rethink of the whole policy.

“We are having about 14 healthcare workers for about 10k Kenyans, it doesn’t make sense,” Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who is the chairperson of CoG’s health committee, said during an international workshop – Developing a healthcare workforce for Africa – organized jointly with the University of Nairobi’s Institute for Development Studies (IDIS) and the Kings College of London, bringing together African health institutions developing a curriculum for modern healthcare.

‘Hospitals greatly suffering’

Governor Njuki said county hospitals were greatly suffering out of budgetary constraints, yet there is room for the both levels of government to sit and agree on a framework that capacitates the healthcare system.

“It is a paradox that we are sending people out for free yet we are getting nothing in return to train more,” he added.

The Tharaka Nithi county boss also called for a remuneration formula that will attract and retain doctors in counties, noting, there is a serious challenge with their opting for urban set ups.

Consequently, the CoG is raising an alarm over the high number of doctors seeking scholarships from the National Government leaving counties in a state of limbo.

CoG report

A report by the CoG for 20 counties shows that 362 doctors are away on study leave while 135 have completed their scholarships and are expected back to the counties.

However, there is a great fear that some of the 135 may not go back to their stations as they either seek transfers or go into private practice.

229 doctors are still out on post graduate training.