Governors want more doctors for counties

Kisumu County Governor Jack Ranguma in his office. Led by Mr Ranguma, James Ongwae (Kisii) and Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), the county bosses have asked the Ministry of Health to send more doctors to counties. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • They said the acute shortage of trained doctors is a major setback in the regional government’s efforts to improve health services.
  • Led by Mr James Ongwae (Kisii), Mr Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), and Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), the county bosses challenged the ministry to release the doctors to the devolved units.
  • “We absorb doctors only after the ministry has deployed them to various hospitals in counties,” said Mr Ongwae.
  • Mr Ranguma, who is also the chairman of the Council of Governors’ Health Committee, said counties are ready to employ doctors but there is a shortage of qualified ones.

Governors have asked the Ministry of Health to send more doctors to counties.

They said the acute shortage of trained doctors is a major setback in the regional government’s efforts to improve health services.

Led by Mr James Ongwae (Kisii), Mr Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), and Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), the county bosses challenged the ministry to release the doctors to the devolved units.

“We absorb doctors only after the ministry has deployed them to various hospitals in counties,” said Mr Ongwae.

He said his county needs 40 more doctors to improve the health docket.

“The doctor-to-patient ratio is wanting. Those available continue working, even during the time they are supposed to rest, hence the lack of efficiency,” he said.

Mr Ongwae said there are only 35 doctors in Kisii County, which is far below what is required.

“As a way of improving the health function, we request the ministry to provide us with more doctors,” said Mr Ongwae.

SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED DOCTORS

Mr Ranguma, who is also the chairman of the Council of Governors’ Health Committee, said counties are ready to employ doctors but there is a shortage of qualified ones.

He said there is an acute shortage of medical personnel, adding that for every 10 patients in critical condition, at least one doctor is needed.

“We have a big problem. The shortage of doctors at our health facilities has greatly affected service delivery,” said Mr Ranguma.

He said public hospitals in the country had been hit by massive resignation of doctors, hence the need for the ministry to replace them.

Mr Ranguma said two senior doctors resigned from the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, a situation that saw the remaining ones being overworked.

“There is need to bridge the gap and bring more doctors on board,” said the county boss.

Kisumu County currently has three district hospitals, six sub-district hospitals and 96 dispensaries.

The governor said all these facilities need to be manned by doctors.

Mr Oparanya said there is a need for the government to expand training programmes for doctors in the country.

“More qualified doctors are needed by counties to improve health care. I am worried about the human resource gap, but progressively, we will get there,” he said