The health sector came out as one of the dockets that faced a lot of challenges in 2023 for Nakuru county.

From the controversial termination of health workers contracts to strike notices by medics coupled with allegations of negligence, delivery of health services was disrupted on different occasions throughout the year.

The decision by the county administration to end contracts of about 700 hospital workers caused an uproar from the members of the public who faulted the move.

Bernard Njoroge, chairman Kenya Union of Nurses, Nakuru branch flanked by other union officials and nurses from the county address media at Nakuru PGH.

Photo credit: FILE

In its communication to the head of departments, Nakuru County Chief Officer for medical services Dr John Murima, announced the county’s decision to terminate its engagement with the workers at the end of their contractual term on June 30.

Read: Confusion at county hospitals as fired healthcare workers report back to work

Affected workers protested the decision and at some point threatened to down their tools.

The decision caught the attention of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers which through its Chairperson Peterson Wachira, castigated the county administration for what he said was engaging the officers on illegal terms.

“They engaged people on short term contracts against the provisions of PSC and the regulations emanating therefrom. The framework they are following demands that they cannot engage anyone the way they did. All the contracts being given by the county government of Nakuru are both irregular and illegal,” stated Mr Wachira.

When the county seemed relentless, the Kenya National Union of Nurses moved to court for redress in a case which caused more confusion.

After the court issued the order barring the implementation of the decision, the county proceeded to recruit new officers who assumed work.

A confusion that ensued saw the nurses report to work only to remain idle after failing to be assigned duties by the hospital's management.

The matter roped in Nakuru senator Tabitha Karanja calling out the county administration for allegedly mistreating the workers.

As a senator mandated to oversee the County Government, it is my considered opinion that if no urgent intervention is made, our county is likely to fall into a possible health crisis,” stated senator Karanja.

The case is still pending in court.

In another standoff with employees, the county was served with a 14-day strike notice by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union which launched their strike upon the expiry of their notice.

Also Read: Kihika at One: How Susan 'sweet talked' her way into the hearts of Nakuru health workers

Among the grievances the doctors had were poor working environments, shortage of doctors, lack of medical equipment and delayed promotions as the reasons for the strike.

Mr Atella in his press briefing lamented the Nakuru county's failure to implement the contents recorded in their collective bargaining agreement 2017-2021 and their revised scheme of service 2016.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary general Davji Atellah adresses the media on doctors impending strike.

Photo credit: FILE

Attempts to engage the doctors through the dialogue failed, forcing the hospital to move to court to stop the strike.

On September 28 the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nakuru issued orders suspending the doctors’ strike which had been issued 2 days earlier.

The events saw the health department defend claims of shortage of staff which forced them to seek the help of the trainees. The trainees were alleged to be doing work that is beyond their scope leading to numerous cases of negligence.

Mr Charles Mwai, the County Public Service Board chairman however defended the county which he said has been employing hospital staff on contracts as a measure to bridge the gap in the workforce.

He explained that the county has so far employed 538 nurses on contract in order to fix the possible shortage but maintained that the current number of staff in the hospital is enough to render services effectively as they wait to employ more.

Related: Health on Trial: We are understaffed and overworked, Nakuru medics speak

“"The fact is we need more staff at the hospitals though the resources are limited. However, the number that we currently have can comfortably serve," said Mr Mwai.

As the new year sets in, the residents can only hope for quality health services with little to no disruptions.

opendajoseph@gmail.com

Nakuru's fractured health sector. Will the bandage hold?

Author Spotlight

Joseph Openda