Muthoni: Govt has funds to train health workers in specialised skills

NAIROBI, Kenya – Health Permanent Secretary Mary Muthoni has announced plans for a data-driven strategy to tackle Kenya's health workforce shortages, including expanding postgraduate training and enhancing the distribution of specialized skills across the country's counties. Speaking at the opening of the Kenya Health Summit on Wednesday, Muthoni emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring health facilities have an adequate number of skilled workers distributed equitably.

She highlighted recent recruitment efforts, including transitioning Universal Health Coverage staff to permanent positions and encouraging health workers to apply for postgraduate training, noting that funding is available to support these pursuits. Muthoni stressed that strengthening specialized skills would enable health workers to contribute more effectively upon returning to their facilities, while a nationwide needs assessment would help determine the exact workforce requirements for each county and facility.

The strategy aims to address workforce disparities by aligning personnel distribution with population needs nationwide. Muthoni also acknowledged the need to tackle issues like unemployment among trained professionals, faculty shortages, attrition, and migration, while safeguarding the rights, safety, and well-being of healthcare workers.

Data-driven accountability was identified as a key component of the workforce strategy, noting Kenya's growing capacity for evidence-based health planning and its ranking in national health workforce accounts reporting. The Kenya Health Summit, themed "Reforms Delivered, Health as a Right," concluded with the government facing pressure to demonstrate tangible improvements from its health reform agenda, encompassing health financing, primary healthcare, workforce development, and accountability.