Tension has gripped public hospitals in Kisumu county following a mass transfer of medical workers in which several senior administrators have been demoted.
Among those affected by the transfers is Chief Executive Officer of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOORTH), Dr Peter Okoth who has been moved to the Kisumu County Hospital as a dentist.
Dr Okoth, has been replaced by Roseline Omolo, who has been elevated from a senior administrator at the same facility.
The transfers which have generated heat at various health facilities, affected 22 medics, accountants and administrator at the JOOTRH, county and sub-county hospitals.
Before rising to CEO, he deputised Dr Juliana Otieno at the same position.
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Service need roles
Another significant demotion is that of Kisumu County Referral Hospital medical superintendent Francis Ayugi, a senior director of medical services, to a regular surgeon at the same facility.
Their new roles were clothed as ‘service need’, which simply means they are regular doctors, practising their fields of specialty.
In the reshuffle, some clinical officers were promoted to manage sub-county hospitals as Medical Superintendents or Medical Officers of Health (MOH), positions previously held by medical doctors.
The memo affecting the county all health facilities was stamped and signed by the County Chief Officer Health Stephen Sewe.
“May the officers affected be released to their new stations and their release and arrival letters reach this office as soon as possible,” read the memo.
A MOH is more senior to a superintendent in the hierarchy. Whereas the latter is in charge of a sub-county facility, the former manages all health facilities in that sub-county.
The changes come barely a month after a new health Executive, Prof Judith Miguda-Attyang' took an oath of office with a pledge to overhaul the system and align it with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s universal health coverage plan.
Ayugi’s replacement, Thadaeus Massawa has also been promoted from a similar position at Kisumu County Referral Hospital.
JOOTRH’s finance department has also been affected by the changes. Senior accountant Olivia Adhiambo has been redeployed to Muhoroni.
Other demotions are those of Festus Ogada from a senior pharmacist in Kisumu East to service need at JOOTRH.
Changes to be approved
Those promoted include dental officer Dr Rosebella Amihanda who moves from Muhoroni to MOH Nyando.
Medical officer Lisa Amuya has been moved from Nyakach to head Kisumu west as MOH while clinical officer Judy Ruto has been elevated to a superintendent at Migosi sub-county hospital.
Joram Abiero, a medical officer in Migosi has been named head of the inpatient wing at JOORTH also known as Lumumba.
At least four registered clinical officers have been moved from the sub-counties to service need at KCRH and JOOTRH to beef up outpatient services.
Yesterday, Prof Miguda-Attayang confirmed that the changes had been effected, but described them as part of a normal internal system shakeup.
Governor Anyan’g Nyong’o’s press director Aloice Ager, however, said the changes were not final because they yet to be approved by the executive and the county public service board.
The county was however yet to issue a formal statement challenging the memo, which Ager claimed was leaked despite having reached the facilities.
Some medical workers praised the changes, saying they were long overdue.
