Why MPs want Cuban doctors out of country

Endebess MP Robert Pukose. [File, Standard]

Under the agreement with Kenya, the first batch of Cuban doctors touched down in Nairobi from Havana in 2018. This included 53 family doctors and 47 specialists. Fifty Kenyan health practitioners also flew to Cuba for specialised training.

The Cuban doctors had come at what was said to be the request of county governments, and their contract would last two years.

Doctors from Cuba were deployed to different counties like Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Lamu and Vihiga. Their mission was to help in areas like nephrology, radiology, orthopaedics, surgery and neurology.

Further, the doctors would train local specialists to offer the same kind of care found in Cuba.

During the meeting with the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Webuye East MP Martin Pepela Wanyonyi sought to know the extent of the Cuban doctors' contributions to Kenya's health sector.

Mary Muthoni Muriuki, the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, defended the invitation of the Cuban doctors to the country, saying they have improved family medicine.

According to Ms Muriuki, the Cuban doctors arrived in Kenya when it was crippled with curative more than preventive measures.