Health union advocates for greater investment in disease prevention

 

The Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union members during elections in Bungoma County on Nov 8, 2024. [Juliet Omelo]

The Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union has called on the government to prioritise funding for disease prevention across the country.

Speaking at the launch and election of union officials in Bungoma County, National General Secretary Brown Ashira highlighted the crucial role of public health officers in advancing primary health services in Kenya.

“A significant portion of communicable diseases nationwide could be prevented with greater investment in the public health sector and support for public health officers,” Dr Ashira emphasised.

He commended Governor Lusaka for his efforts in hiring and confirming public health staff, calling it an essential step toward improving healthcare services at the grassroots level.

“We applaud Governor Lusaka for making healthcare a priority of his administration. We want him to recognize that public health officers are the backbone of essential health services. Many of them are currently working as volunteers and deserve better welfare support,” he added.

Ashira encouraged other counties to adopt similar measures by increasing employment opportunities for public health officers to meet the growing demands on healthcare providers.

Echoing Ashira’s concerns, Philip Sagini, Chairman of the Association of Public Health Officers, Bungoma Chapter, stressed the importance of recognizing and supporting public health workers, especially given their frontline role in addressing public health challenges, including the current Mpox outbreak.

“We urge the county to expand employment slots for public health officers, allowing them to strengthen disease prevention efforts and reduce the prevalence of serious health conditions,” Sagini said.

During the recent election, Gabriel Araka was elected as the branch secretary-general, while Monica Birechi was appointed as branch chair. Both leaders underscored the union’s commitment to securing improved terms for public health officers.

The unions also called on Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa to advocate for the permanent appointment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff, citing the high turnover and lack of recognition of public health roles within the program.

Bungoma County currently faces a shortage of 150 public health officers, leaving existing staff with workloads that exceed World Health Organization standards. The unions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their presence to ensure that public health officers’ contributions are valued and adequately supported, reinforcing Kenya’s health system at the community level.