Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Governors want the national government to take over the payment of salaries for doctors who go on study leave.

The Council of Governors (CoG) said it had become strenuous for counties to continue paying doctors who are not at work.

CoG Health Committee chair Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), said a takeover of payment of such doctors by the national government would free up resources for recruitment of temporary replacements.

Njuki, who spoke when he received midwifery training models donated by JHPIEGO, said there is need for a framework that will not create a lacuna is provision of healthcare services.

He said the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage needs total commitment and adequate human resources.

“In Tharaka Nithi, we have 36 doctors, 14 are on study leave. This leaves a huge gap especially on resources because we have to cater for their salaries, yet the courses they are on are fully funded by the national government,” he said.

In 2021, governors raised concern that 10 per cent of county doctors were on study leave. They said that at least 834 doctors nationwide were on study leave.

Njuki at the same time called on counties to invest in refresher courses for medical staff at all levels in efforts to acquaint themselves with modern medicine for the implementation of UHC  JHPIEGO says it is willing to work closely with the Council of Governors to offer critical training on primary healthcare and full implementation of UHC by partnering with Kenya Medical Training Colleges