Health crisis as Uasin Gishu nurses strike, doctors next
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9d agoBY MATHEWS NDANYIRift-valley
Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime is set to lead a Kenyan delegation to the UK next week for an international scientific conference.
The conference seeks to advance dialogue on global health workforce mobility and ensure dignified labour mobility pathways for health sector professionals.
Mwadime will be a keynote speaker at the 5th International Delegates and Scientific Conference of the Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates (GACOPA), to be held at Aston University in Birmingham.
He will advocate for the inclusion of Clinical Officers in the ongoing Kenya-UK (G2G) labour mobility framework.
The conference brings together health workforce stakeholders from 74 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
According to the President of GACOPA, Austin Oduor, so far, over 300 Kenyan nurses have migrated to the UK under the Kenya-UK Bilateral Labour Agreement.
However, Clinical Officers have not been included in the deal and the PS aims to change that.
“This conference is a crucial platform to advocate for structured and dignified labour mobility for Clinical Officers, not just from Kenya, but across the region,” said Mwadime.
“We will push for their inclusion in all relevant Bilateral Labour Agreements going forward.”
While in the UK, Mwadime is scheduled to hold high-level talks with the British Ministry of Health to initiate this inclusion process.
The discussions are part of broader efforts by the Kenyan government to secure more international job opportunities for skilled mid-level healthcare professionals.
The PS also noted that Kenya is looking to expand its Government-to-Government (G2G) labour agreements with countries such as Germany, Israel, and Ireland, to open more pathways for Clinical Officers and Physician Associates.
Oduor has welcomed Kenya’s efforts, saying it would help bridge labour gaps in global health systems while ensuring recognition and fair treatment of skilled Kenyan professionals abroad.
