Kenya needs 20,000 more doctors
The country needs 20,000 new doctors for efficient medical services.
Medical Service Minister Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o said the country had only 5,000 doctors against the required 25,000, to serve in both private and public hospitals.
“Staff shortage in the ministry of health needs to be addressed urgently,” he said.
Speaking during the second graduation ceremony at Kendu School of Medical Sciences, the minister said that about 17,000 nurses are in the service out of 64,000 nurses needed to meet the country’s demand.
The minister said the shortage presented his ministry with a challenge in providing effective quality service to meet rising demand.
Colleges in the counties
Prof Nyong’o said the government was in the process of opening up more Medical Training Colleges in the counties to solve the shortage.
Currently, there are 29 medical training schools out of 47 that should be opened up in each county.
Similarly the minister disclosed that the government plans to introduce E–Health courses where students will learn on-line.
Prof Nyong’o said the government too has plans to update all public health facilities countrywide at the cost of Sh85 billion in the next five years.
The minister said the public has the right to access quality care and urged health personnel to ensure they provide it.
He asked health workers to serve faithfully saying many professionals were seeking more money from clients at the expense of providing quality care.
“There is a disease currently eating up professionalism in the society, and that disease is the love for money,” said Prof Nyong’o.
