- This decision has many implications in light of the recent findings from the Kenya Health Facility Report Assessment.
In an effort to address the need for employment opportunities for Kenyan youths, the government has recently made global agreements to export labour, particularly in the healthcare sector. One such agreement involves exporting 2500 nurses to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
While this move provides an opportunity for Kenyan nurses to practice and earn a living, it highlights the irony of the country's healthcare sector's lack of sufficient skilled personnel for quality service delivery.
This decision has many implications in light of the recent findings from the Kenya Health Facility Report Assessment.
The Kenya Health Facility Report Assessment, conducted over four months since August 2023, reveals a concerning state of the country's health sector. Among the 47 counties, only 12 meet the required number of core health workers, including nurses, clinical officers, and doctors, in proportion to the population.
This shortage of healthcare professionals significantly challenges delivering quality healthcare services nationwide.
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The report highlights several challenges faced by healthcare professionals in Kenya.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, a doctor should attend to an average of 1000 patients. However, a doctor attends to an average of 17,000 patients in Kenyan facilities. This overwhelming patient load severely compromises the quality of care and burdens healthcare providers immensely.
Furthermore, the report reveals that 44 counties do not meet the required minimum number of nurses per the healthcare workforce staffing norms, which sets the number at three nurses per facility.
This shortage of nurses further exacerbates the strain on the healthcare system, leading to increased waiting times, compromised patient care, and burnout among healthcare workers.
The Kenya Health Facility Report Assessment findings underscore the urgent need for workforce support in the healthcare sector if the government aims to achieve universal healthcare.
Before signing international deals to export healthcare workers, it is crucial to prioritize the employment of more nurses, clinical officers, and doctors in facilities across the country.
By addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals domestically, the government can ensure quality healthcare services to its citizens. Adequate staffing levels will improve patient care and alleviate the burden on existing healthcare workers, reducing their workload and minimizing the risk of burnout.
To meet the demand for skilled healthcare professionals, the Kenyan government needs to invest in healthcare education and training programs.
By increasing the number of nursing schools, medical colleges, and clinical officer training institutions, the country can produce a larger pool of qualified professionals who can effectively address the healthcare workforce shortage.
While exporting labour can provide employment opportunities for Kenyan youths, it should not come at the expense of compromising the quality of healthcare services at home.
Instead of solely relying on international agreements, the government should consider collaborating with international partners to develop capacity-building programs.
These programs can focus on training and skill development, allowing healthcare professionals to gain international exposure while maintaining a robust workforce to meet domestic healthcare needs.
