Senators have launched investigations into claims that some medical staff in Nairobi County work in more than one hospital.
Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana wants the county government of Nairobi to clarify reports on the allegations.
She further wants the county to state whether working in more than one hospital is in line with existing government policies.
“Provide a list of medical staff working in public and private hospitals segregating this list into those on permanent, on contract and those working on locums in Nairobi City County,” she said.
The Senate Standing Committee on Health will conduct the probe.
Kibwana wants the committee to assess the impact of medical staff working in multiple hospitals and the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system in Nairobi.
She said the county should table existing guidelines on working hours or shift patterns for the medical staff.
The senator wants the committee to establish whether there are measures in place, if any, to ensure that public health facilities are adequately staffed and resourced to prevent the need for medical staff to work in multiple hospitals.
In January 2023, the government announced its plans to hire 20,000 healthcare workers to bridge the doctor, nurse and midwife ratios as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said the health workers would be absorbed over a three-year period subject to the availability of Sh21 billion required by the ministry to bring them on board.
Kenya had a total of 189,932 health workers in 2020 with 66 per cent being in the public sector and 58 per cent, 13 per cent and seven percent being nurses, clinical officers and doctors, respectively.
