Atwoli: County governments must respect doctors

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has added his voice to calls by healthcare workers, who want the health function reverted back to the national government.

Doctors led by Dr. Devji Atellah, Secretary General, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have in recent weeks intensified calls to have the health function taken back to the national government, from counties.

“It has been over ten years since healthcare was devolved in Kenya, but there is still no streamlined framework to ensure healthcare services function efficiently. We have witnessed numerous blame games between national and county governments concerning finances, drug and equipment acquisition, employment of healthcare workers which have led to the detriment of the healthcare service delivery in the country,” Atellah said last month.

Speaking on Tuesday during a consultative meeting between COTU and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, Atwoli said he supports the call by Atellah and Co. He said doctors are suffering under the counties, as a result of delay or non-payment of salaries.

"County governments must respect our doctors. It is very expensive to train a doctor. Doctors should be taken back by the national government so that they are not kicked left, right and centre when it comes to payment," said the COTU boss.

He urged Kenyans to maintain peace and support the administration of the day, adding that it is important to have a bad government than have none, giving an example of war torn Sudan.

"There is no government in Sudan and those people are really suffering. It is better to have a bad government than none. Protect what you have. Protect this government for the sake of peace."

He challenged NHIF top leadership to tame corruption, in a bid to safeguard members contributions.