A number of healthcare workers’ unions in Homa Bay County have sent a plea to the county government to consider hiring more medical staff to cope with the influx of patients, in order to meet their medical expectations in public health facilities.
The unions which include Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) and Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), complained of being under pressure of having to work extra hours because of shortage of staff.
This, they said, makes it difficult for them to meet the medical expectations of their patients.
Addressing the press on Tuesday after the unions’ meeting in Homa Bay Town, Omondi Nyonje, KNUN executive secretary said that the county is in need of an additional 500 nurses, 15 doctors, 180 Laboratory Technicians, 300 Public Health Officers and 100 nutritionists to curb the current shortage.
“The number of patients in the public hospitals has increased due to the new Governor’s zeal to revamp the sector, something that now calls for more medical officers,” said Nyonje.
He lauded Governor Gladys Wanga for prioritizing the health sector, stating that since she clinched office, they have been receiving their salaries on time and without any delay which has curbed unnecessary parades.
The secretary however asked the county boss to speed the pending promotions and confirmations of health workers as she promised during her campaigns.
“I want to thank our Governor for considering our sector as her first priority, but let her speed up the promises she made on the pending promotions of the workers,” he said.
The Chairman of the Union of Laboratory Department in Homa Bay, George Angar on his side, said they are now capable of conducting a lot of tests in all the level 4 hospitals due to the regular supply of re-agents and the fullimogram machine.
“We are glad that the new government has revamped our departments, but please add more officers to serve the patients on time,” said Angar.
By Brian Odhiambo
