The Ministry of Health now seeks to ensure more healthcare workers work in facilities within rural areas.
This is in an effort to address the shortage of healthcare workers within rural areas in the country that has created barriers to accessing essential services and exacerbated health disparities.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha on Friday decried the uneven distribution of healthcare workers in the country with most of them being specialists concentrated in the urban areas.
“It is imperative that we strive for a balanced distribution of health workers to bridge this gap and provide equal opportunities for healthcare across our nation,” she said.
Nakhumicha spoke when she presided over the graduation ceremony of 266 graduands at Amref International University in Nairobi.
The CS said the ministry has introduced measures to improve salaries, benefits, and working conditions of healthcare workers living in underserved regions.
“By creating an enabling environment, we aim to incentivise healthcare professionals to serve in remote areas and bridge the urban-rural divide,” she noted.
She noted the gaps in human resources have far-reaching consequences for the health and well-being of Kenyans.
The CS said it leads to increased disease burden, higher maternal and child mortality rates and places additional financial burdens on patients due to prolonged waiting times for care.
According to the CS, the country also faces a deficit of skilled health workers which not only hampers timely diagnosis and treatment but also affects the ability to deliver specialised care.
Kenya, like many countries, experiences a shortage of health workers, particularly in rural areas, where access to healthcare is limited.
In 2018, there were 13.8 health workers per 10,000 people in Kenya, compared to the World Health Organisation recommendation of 44.5 health workers per 10,000 people.
This scarcity hinders access to quality healthcare, perpetuating disparities and limiting the delivery of essential services.
