Gatanga MP wants hospital management taken away from counties

Gatanga Member of Parliament (MP) Wakili Edward Muriu has expressed his belief that governors have fallen short in effectively managing health services.

As a solution, the MP intends to introduce a motion in Parliament to establish an autonomous body, similar to the Teacher’s Service Commission, to oversee the health docket.

Wakili Edward Muriu proposal

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, September 14, 2023, the Gatanga MP said the proposed body, named the “Doctors and Nurses Service Commission,” would operate independently and be accountable to the counties through its establishment.

The lawmaker noted that the primary responsibilities of the body would include the recruitment, placement, and supervision of doctors and nurses working in the county’s healthcare facilities.

Muriu emphasized the dire situation in many counties, where hospitals and dispensaries often lack essential medicines, and healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses, face low morale.

He argued that it is evident that counties are struggling to manage health services effectively, despite health being a devolved function under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.

In his statement, Muriu highlighted the urgent need for change, as hospitals have become increasingly challenging environments for both medical staff and patients.

To address these issues, he proposed the creation of the Doctors and Nurses Service Commission, drawing inspiration from the successful model of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for educators.

Muriu revealed that he has received strong backing from the people of Gatanga Constituency to table this motion before Parliament. He aims to develop appropriate legislation to operationalize the commission and bring about much-needed improvements in the management of health services within counties.

“It’s Now been TRIED and TESTED. Governors have no Clue on how to Manage Health Services in the Counties despite the same being a Devolved Function under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution. Its Hue and Cry across the Country. Our Hospitals and Dispensaries have no basic medicines not even Panadol,” he stated.

Wakili Edward Muriu on doctors

“Needless to say, The Doctors and Nurses’ Morale is at its lowest. Hospitals have become Death Chambers for the Hustlers. The Solution is to take away the Hospital Management from the Governors and create an Autonomous Body Answerable to the Counties Through Senate – 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 Akin to Teachers Service Commission (TSC ),” he added.

“The Commission will the Employer and will be Posting and Supervising the Doctors and Nurses Performance in the Counties. I have Firm instructions from the 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 to table this Motion before Parliament and Come up with a suitable Act of Parliament to Operationalize the Commission,” he concluded.

It is worth noting that health services were decentralized to counties following the enactment of the 2013 constitution, and Muriu’s proposal seeks to address the challenges that have arisen in the devolved healthcare system.