Uhuru to send off Cuban doctors to counties

President Uhuru Kenyatta will officially send off the Cuban doctors to the 47 counties on Wednesday afternoon.

The health specialists arrived in the country on June 6 but had to wait for the determination of a court case challenging their hiring.

Also Read: Cuban doctors now free to work in Kenya – court

Three unemployed medics had moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court arguing that Kenyan doctors should have been given first priority.

However, on June 19, Justice Onesmus Makau dismissed the case saying:

“The petitioners have not proved that the doctors rights and the rights of other specialized doctors were infringed by the decision to import the Cuban doctors.”

Kenya's government has brought in 100 Cuban doctors, and local doctors are not happy. pic.twitter.com/ntLDwNEzMa

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 26, 2018

This paved the way for their Cuban counterparts, who were residing at the Government School of Science, to begin work.

They include three radiologists, 5 nephrologists, orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons and neurologists.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has criticised the move claiming that it will cost the country billions.

“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,” the union Secretary-General Ouma Oluga said.

The Kenyan Government has however maintained its stance that the Cuban doctors will not take up any positions intended for Kenyan graduates.

On Wednesday, President Kenyatta is also expected to preside over the launch of the Accelerated National Immunization Campaign.

A statement from PSCU said he will highlight Government efforts towards achievement of the Universal Health Coverage.

“In recent years, the Government has enhanced investments in the health sector to ensure that all Kenyans have access to affordable and quality services,” the statement reads.

Wednesday’s function is scheduled to take place at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) Warehouse in Industrial Area, Nairobi.