By Joab Apollo
The United Kingdom has honoured its pledge to employ 20, 000 Kenyan nurses as part of its initiative to address the shortage of health care workers in London as well strengthen bilateral relations with the East African country.
Kenya’s Labour and Social Welfare Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui said on Thursday 2nd September, 2021, that the UK government will also offer training to Kenyan nurses and build capacity at the medical schools in the country.
“This is a great beginning for us because our institutions are now being upgraded to international standards to offer training to fit the UK market.” He said.
Last month, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta held bilateral talks with senior UK government officials in London in which they signed a pact that would see Kenyan healthcare workers land employment to address a shortage of 62, 000 nurses in the UK.
There are over 30, 000 unemployed nurses in Kenya even though public health facilities are hard hit by inadequate nursing personnel. This shortage means Kenya cannot realize its goal in the Universal Healthcare program, a state initiative which seeks to ensure accessible and affordable health care to all Kenyan citizens.
The country has incessantly been hit by fierce protests by doctors and nurses demanding better remuneration and decent working environment.
Many have sought greener pastures in Europe and the US, citing ill-treatment in their homeland.
The country boasts 58, 247 registered nurses as of the year 2020, according to statistics from the Ministry of Health.