Kenya Medical Association Chairman Dr. Elly Opot has challenged county governments to address problems doctors and nurses face to curb mass exodus of health practitioners opting for other countries across the world.
Speaking to Journalists during the closure of a four-day practitioners forum in Eldoret town on Saturday, Dr. Opot raisid concerns over the high numbers of Kenyan doctors and nurses opting for other countries in search of greener pastures and better working conditions.
He stated that numbers of he alt practitioners quitting the field should sound an alarm to the government and stakeholders in the heath sector.
“As a result of poor terms of service, poor working environment and failure by the government to tackle issues facing doctors and nurses, most of them are opting to work in foreign countries,” said Dr. Opot.
Dr. Opot observed that devolution of heath has further complicated matters noting that though the move was good, its management has not been efficient.
He urged county governments to address the issues being raised by doctors and nurses to avert strikes and go-slows being witnessed every now and again in some counties adding that access and service delivery of health continue to be hampered by strikes and go-slows.
“Where it has reached, both the government and stakeholders in the health sector need to convene urgently and seek an appropriate solutions to problems being raised by doctors and nurses across the country,” advised Dr. Opot.
He noted that more than 100 senior specialist doctors have resigned since the year started. He added that the vacuum being left by the resigning specialists who are not being replaced will definitely hamper services in the sector.
“The government should ensure that doctor specialists who resign are immediately replaced so that services are not hampered,” said Dr. Opot.