KENYA— President William Ruto of Kenya, has commissioned the Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council (KHHRAC) to help address issues pertaining to the country’s healthcare human resource management.
The president was joined by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha S. Wafula, including Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki.
The President noted that the council’s establishment reflected a resolute commitment to improving the quality, affordability, and accessibility of healthcare across the nation.
The KHHRAC will aim to tackle pressing challenges faced by the healthcare workforce through its strategic focus areas.
These include postgraduate training for medical professionals, facilitating transfers, creating a framework for internships and subsequent employment, prioritizing staff welfare, and promoting the sharing of specialized expertise.
The advisory council will handle the posting of interns to National and County governments’ health facilities, inter-county transfer of health professionals, and transfers from one level of government to the other.
The Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council will also standardize the welfare and schemes of service for health professionals and manage the rotation of specialist doctors to enhance effective service delivery across the country.
It will also maintain a master register for all health practitioners in the counties.
The President said the Council will also address issues of training of staff in the counties.
By addressing these crucial areas, the council endeavors to enhance coordination and effectiveness in healthcare delivery across different levels of government.
The President said the Council’s mandate was to review policy and establish norms and standards for health workers, which should ensure health professionals are happy and productive.
The council will be chaired by Dr. Francis Wafula, a lecturer at Strathmore University, and comprise representatives from the National Government, counties, and training institutions.
Other members include Rosemary Njaramba, Joan Machoyo, Joy Mugambi and Thomas Mweu and their appointment takes effect immediately for a period of three years.
In addition to addressing disputes and ensuring adequate resources, President Ruto highlighted the government’s efforts to improve the quality of healthcare at the grassroots level.
The government would also focus on equipping and standardizing the training of community health promoters, thereby ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all citizens.
“Inadequate consultation between the two levels of government in the past prevented the operationalization of the council affecting effective delivery of health services,” President Ruto said.
CS Wafula on the other hand noted that the KHHRAC would be mandated with advising President William Ruto and the ministry on how to deal with medical practitioners.
The development came at a time when doctors in some counties have threatened to down their tools until their demands, which included pay increases, are met.
Council of Governors Chair Anne Waiguru said the advisory council’s composition has been informed by the constitutional roles the two levels of government have in the provision of health services.
Most pundits however believe the KHHRAC is part of the larger plot by the Kenyan President to reframe the Ministry of Health.
Moreover, Health unions have in the recent past called on the President to constitute a National Joint Taskforce on Health to investigate issues affecting the health sector in the country.
The unions wanted the task force constituted to undertake an evaluation of the last decade since the devolution of health with a view to recommending solutions that will put health back on the progress towards attainment of Vision 2030.
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