Taskforce To Probe Doctors’ Resignations Appointed

The Ministry of Health wants the taskforce to investigate reasons behind the mass resignations of the medics.

The number of medical doctors who have resigned so far as a result of the row with the Embu County has now reached 16.

A total of 120 medical personell have resigned since the row with the county government erupted several weeks ago.

Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has warned that the government will not allow mass resignations of doctors due to fear of devolution.

The Cabinet Secretary who spoke at the Naivasha District Hospital said the government will employ more nurses and doctors in order to bridge the current deficit.

The Ministry says there is a shortage of 42,000 nurses and 20,000 doctors countrywide.

The programme will start in June 2014 and will go on for a period of 4 years.

If all goes as planned, 9,000 nurses will be recruited every year.

In Kakamega County, a total of 12 doctors have so far resigned with some of them reportedly joining private practice.

By Angel Mboya