Clinicians want President William Ruto to constitute a National Joint Taskforce on Health to look into issues affecting the sector.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers wants the taskforce constituted to undertake an evaluation of the last decade since the devolution of health with a view to recommending solutions that will put health back on the progress towards attainment of Vision 2030.
The union in their latest call has recommended that the taskforce will provide a framework for the establishment of a Health Commission for the management of human resources for health without undermining devolution.
“The taskforce will also provide a framework for ring-fencing funds for healthcare from facility improvement to allocations from the treasury in collaboration with county governments,” KUCO SG George Gibore said.
Gibore has noted that it is time to reflect on the challenges faced in the last 10 years of devolution and convert the lessons learnt into opportunities to better and strengthen the health systems towards achieving UHC.
According to the union, health workers have been faced with a myriad of challenges in the last 10 years as most county governments have failed to prioritise their welfare.
“While some counties have posted an improvement in health services provision, others are still struggling and have lost hope in the delivery of quality healthcare in most spheres,” Gibore said.
“As a union, we have taken note with great concern the current status and the forecast future of the health sector, especially on its capacity to meet the tenets of accessibility, quality and affordability."
They want the task force to be composed of representatives from the Office of the President, the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, the Public Service Commission, health unions and associations.
