The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Nyanza Branch, has raised an alarm over the Kisumu County Government’s decision to freeze employment and career progression for healthcare workers.
In a letter addressed to Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, the union warned that the freeze, coupled with the withdrawal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Human Resource of Health (HRH)support and stagnant career progression would push the sector to a breaking point.
The letter, signed by KMPDU Nyanza Branch Chairman Dr. Onyango Ndonga, cautioned the county government against the move saying the health of thousands of Kisumu residents was at stake.
Ndonga argues that Kisumu County which is burdened with a high prevalence of HIV and other public health issues, cannot afford to deprioritize its healthcare workforce.
“The union acknowledges the fiscal challenges faced by counties but emphasizes that healthcare is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of sustainable development,” read the letter in part.
The employment freeze, the union argues, only exacerbates the crisis, placing people living with HIV at increased risk and potentially leading to preventable deaths and a resurgence of diseases.
Career stagnation, the union said has demoralized workers thereby affecting service delivery.
“Healthcare professionals in Kisumu have endured up to seven years without promotions or salary increments, despite their advanced qualifications and heavy workloads. This stagnation fuels frustration, burnout, and a brain drain of skilled professionals,” the Union’s letter reads.
The union wants the governor to immediately lift the employment and promotion freeze, develop a clear roadmap for addressing staffing gaps and career progression, and engage in constructive dialogue with the KMPDU and other stakeholders to create sustainable solutions for workforce retention and motivation.
By Sandra Amondi and Bernice Amuge
