Nurse shortage affects services
Nurses on strike unite on solidarity demonstration at western provincial General Hospital Kakamega. Kakamega Deputy Governor Prof Philip Kutima Sunday said delivery of health services has been affected by a shortage of nurses. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE | FILE |
What you need to know:
- At least 1,000 nurses needed to hired for all hospitals in the county.
- The county assembly has embraced private-public partnerships to ensure that service delivery is not left wanting as a result of staff shortages.
Kakamega Deputy Governor Prof Philip Kutima Sunday said delivery of health services has been affected by a shortage of nurses.
He said at least 1,000 nurses needed to hired for all hospitals in the county.
“We have employed only 300 nurses and hope to hire a similar number next year to address the problem, despite the huge wage bill.
“We have a shortage of staff in other critical areas but we cannot employ more workers due to financial constraints,” Prof Kutima said.
DIRE NEED OF OFFICERS
He said the county is in dire need of agriculture extension officers.
The deputy governor said the county assembly is banking on a university to train medical staff and other experts to fill the existing gaps.
“We have a partnership with Masinde Muliro University. Collaborations for training arrangements are in high gear,” the deputy governor said.
According to him, the county assembly has embraced private-public partnerships to ensure that service delivery is not left wanting as a result of staff shortages.
“For us to provide quality services, we must embrace all players who can help us achieve our goals,” Prof Kutima said.
