Medics stage night vigil outside Afya House over intern posting delays
In a show of frustration, medical professionals set up camp outside Nairobi’s Afya House on Monday, urging the government to honour its commitment to post medical interns under the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
After a day of picketing at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Upper Hill, the health workers persisted into the night, lighting candles and flashlights despite light showers.
Videos circulated on social media captured them singing the national anthem, waving Kenyan flags, and displaying placards with messages like ‘Nakhumicha must go!’.
The protest comes days after the Head of State William Ruto named a task force to audit health resources.
Ruto said the establishment of a task force on Human Resources for Health is deemed necessary to formulate comprehensive strategies and policies to enhance the healthcare workforce.
Ruto appointed Khama Rogo the chairperson and Judith Guserwa the vice Chairperson of the task force.
Members of the team are Patrick Amoth, John Masasabi, Toseef Din, Wilson Aruasa, Doreen Rhoda Kanyua, Dennis Miskellah and Francis Wafula.
Others are Habiba Mohamed, Lucy Mburu, Collins Kiprono, Victor Miseda, Christine Okoth, Carolyne Mage, Jacinta Rwamba, Justina Wamae, Kanyenje Gakombe, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana and Benard Ondeng Otieno Choi.
The President named Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo and Morris Kaburu as joint secretaries for the task force.
Hezron Omollo and Vivienne Eyase were appointed secretaries for the task force.
They have been appointed to serve for six months with effect from July 5, 2024.
The Secretariat of the task force shall be domiciled at the Ministry of Health, Ruto said.
He said the team shall identify the legal, policy, administrative and operational constraints impeding the performance of the Health Sector with regard to Human Resources for Health.
It shall also identify and recommend legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational Human Resources for Health Reforms in Kenya.
Ruto further said the task force is mandated to review the performance of Human Resources for Health (HRH) in Kenya and recommend improvements.
It shall also advise and recommend the legal, policy, administrative, institutional and operational framework for the management of human resources for health without undermining devolution.
The team has also been tasked with reviewing and advising on the harmonisation of the terms of employment for all healthcare workers in the spirit of equal work for equal pay.
