Parliament asks Interior CS to protect health workers, hospitals

National Assembly's Committee on Health Chair James Nyikal. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The National Assembly Committee on Health has called for the protection of healthcare workers and facilities during demonstrations.

Chairman James Nyikal said nobody should be allowed to invade health facilities or interfere with the movement of ambulances.

Speaking yesterday after a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors at in Mombasa, Dr Nyikal urged the Ministry of Interior to stop goons from invading health facilities and threatening workers.

“We are making an appeal to all people involved in demonstrations, whoever they are, whether it is the police, that health facilities and health workers should be protected. Like the Red Cross works internationally, health facilities should not be affected in any way,” he said.

During the Saba Saba anniversary on Monday, thugs stormed Kitengela Sub-County Hospital and disrupted services. A doctor and staff carrying out caesarean section had to lock themselves in the theatre as the hooligans threatened the workers.

The meeting focused on how the Sh13 billion allocated in the current financial year to support the primary healthcare fund and the Sh8 billion for the emergency and critical care fund would be used under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Dr Nyikal noted that health workers on a casual basis will this month be placed on permanent and pensionable terms after Parliament allocated Sh6.2 billion.

He noted that Sh4.5 billion has been provided for intern doctors to end a dispute that has led to disruption of services following frequent strikes.

Another Sh1.5 billion has been allocated to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority.

He said the Ministry of Health had indicated that SHA would support service delivery in all facilities, including the private and faith-based health hospitals.

Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Council of Governors' Health Committee chairman Muthomi Njuki also attended the meeting.