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- Apr 10, 2009
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National Super Alliance co-principal Raila Odinga on Thursday dismissed the government's plan of employing 500 doctors from Tanzania.
Raila said that the decision is misinformed, considering the high number of young qualified doctors who lack jobs in the country.
The former prime minister said this at Kisii University grounds during the closure of a two-day Lake region health investment conference.
The meeting brought together healthcare stakeholders from 13 counties in the lake region.
"It is disappointing that the government is seeking to recruit 500 foreign doctors yet there are hundreds of doctors looking for work," Raila said.
'We need to invest in resolving our policy problems in a way that leaves our citizens motivated and willing to serve our country."
He said the recent doctors strike was brought about by the many hiccups in the management of the health sector.
The opposition leader said that a task force he formed in 2012 recommended solutions to the doctor's grievances.
"It came up with key building blocks for successful health systems including availability and functioning of diagnostic equipment."
"The team also addressed issues of human resource management and capacity building of health staff," he said.
He also cited recommendations on stewardship and management of public health institutions.
"The proposals made on public health sector financing, and performance management in the ministry of health are still valid," Raila said.
Governors James Onwgae (Kisii), John Nyagarama (Nyamira), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) Cyprian Awiti (Homabay) were present at the meeting.
Former UN-habitat amabassador Sam Ongeri among other guests also attended the conference.
Raila said there is need to establish a Health Service Commission to deal with the challenges bedeviling the sector.
"The commission will free counties from the heavy responsibility of human resource management," he said.
"This will allow them to focus their resources and energies on managing health facilities."
He urged all governors to honor the terms of the Return to Work Formula signed with Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union.
Raila also asked county bosses to pay the health workers their arrears as from December.
"Mombasa county government has since paid its health workers. I am appealing to the county public service boards in all the other counties to follow suit."
He said that the directive by the Ministry of Health to withhold doctors' pay is in bad faith, adding that it will lead to poor service delivery for citizens.
Source: Shelve plan to hire 500 Tanzanian doctors, employ jobless graduates - Raila
Raila said that the decision is misinformed, considering the high number of young qualified doctors who lack jobs in the country.
The former prime minister said this at Kisii University grounds during the closure of a two-day Lake region health investment conference.
The meeting brought together healthcare stakeholders from 13 counties in the lake region.
"It is disappointing that the government is seeking to recruit 500 foreign doctors yet there are hundreds of doctors looking for work," Raila said.
'We need to invest in resolving our policy problems in a way that leaves our citizens motivated and willing to serve our country."
He said the recent doctors strike was brought about by the many hiccups in the management of the health sector.
The opposition leader said that a task force he formed in 2012 recommended solutions to the doctor's grievances.
"It came up with key building blocks for successful health systems including availability and functioning of diagnostic equipment."
"The team also addressed issues of human resource management and capacity building of health staff," he said.
He also cited recommendations on stewardship and management of public health institutions.
"The proposals made on public health sector financing, and performance management in the ministry of health are still valid," Raila said.
Governors James Onwgae (Kisii), John Nyagarama (Nyamira), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) Cyprian Awiti (Homabay) were present at the meeting.
Former UN-habitat amabassador Sam Ongeri among other guests also attended the conference.
Raila said there is need to establish a Health Service Commission to deal with the challenges bedeviling the sector.
"The commission will free counties from the heavy responsibility of human resource management," he said.
"This will allow them to focus their resources and energies on managing health facilities."
He urged all governors to honor the terms of the Return to Work Formula signed with Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union.
Raila also asked county bosses to pay the health workers their arrears as from December.
"Mombasa county government has since paid its health workers. I am appealing to the county public service boards in all the other counties to follow suit."
He said that the directive by the Ministry of Health to withhold doctors' pay is in bad faith, adding that it will lead to poor service delivery for citizens.
Source: Shelve plan to hire 500 Tanzanian doctors, employ jobless graduates - Raila
