No, Cuban doctors are not arriving today, says Health Ministry

The Cuban doctors who were scheduled to arrive in Kenya today, will now jet into the country next week, June 5, according to the Ministry of Health.

The 100 Cuban doctors, whose arrival has been met with hostility and criticism from Kenyans as well as medical stakeholders who argue that there are enough health professionals who can handle anything locally.

According to Health CS Sicily Kariuki, the doctors will end shortage of specialised medical professionals in the country and will not take up any positions intended for Kenyan graduates.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union Secretary General Ouma Oluga had earlier objected to the plan saying the move will not end the shortage of doctors in the country but take up positions meant for Kenyans.

Oluga argued that the State has no excuse to hire foreign doctors since the country currently has over 1000 unemployed doctors.

KMPDU further claimed that bringing in the Cuban doctors is an unnecessary expenditure that will cost the country more than Ksh.2 billion and could also weaken Kenya’s health system.

“Cuban Doctors will cost the taxpayer more than Ksh.2 billion without the additional expenses of Security, Transport, Housing and Food by the County Governments,” read a statement issued by Secretary-General Dr. Ouma Oluga dated April 30, 2018.