Sh3.7 billion approved for hiring of nurses

By Roselyne Obala

Kenya: The Government has approved Sh3.7 billion to enhance the recruitment of about 9,000 nurses in health facilities, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has said.

Mr Macharia noted that the fund is factored in the 2013/2014 health budget to improve access to medical care.

He noted that the staff shortfall is affecting service delivery and the deficit currently stands at 42,000.

Macharia admitted that the health sector faces an acute shortage of personnel and hiring more nurses would help in bridging the gap.

The CS stressed that the national and county governments are commitment in streamlining the health sector and ensuring Kenyans access quality health care.

“For a start, we must try to employ enough staff in our health facilities,” he said.

In a telephone interview with The Standard, Macharia said, presently, there are only 26,000 health workers countrywide.

He regretted that the health personnel have threatened to withdraw their services over salaries and the shortage faced, and took the opportunity to assure the public that the Government was working on tackling the problem.

At the same time, he acknowledged that for the nurses to discharge their duties they required be motivated.

“We are working closely with the county governments to ensure nurses are properly remunerated and the teething issues dealt with permanently,” he said.