Thousands of healthcare workers must undergo an ICT oriented medical training after President William Ruto consented to the health laws.

It has emerged  that successful  implementation of the digital healthcare service delivery is now pegged on thousands of analogue health workers, who must be retrained to safeguard their jobs and serve  techno savvy patients.

The government is categorical that anybody opposing the new law, will not be spared the consequences that come with it on one hand.

Medical Services Principal Secretary, Harry Kimtai said the enactment of the Digital Health law will enable the Ministry to integrate all healthcare services. This, he noted will pave way for a standardised service delivery system across the country.

“Once we have this law in place, it going to automatically initiate change management where any worker who opposes will run into problems with the government,” said Kimtai.

The PS added that the law opens up opportunities for collaboration.

“At this age the role of digital data is important because the manual system is cumbersome,” Kimtai said.

On the other hand, ICT experts are pointing at existing gaps for health workers already in employment, those who are being churned out and another large group still in college. Interestingly, health unions want the government to ensure that nobody suffers by  being laid off.

Waiganjo Wagacha, University of Nairobi computer science professor said there are many gaps in Human  Resource for Health that need to be addressed even as the digital law comes into place.

“People need adequate skills to use the tools and it’s development…

“There is need to retool healthcare workers who are in employment; those joining and the ones that are yet to join,” Prof. Wacha said.

Unions in the health sector called for employment of thousands of trained healthcare workers without jobs even as the new laws comes into effect.

“There’s a severe shortage of healthcare workers in the country from 2016, counties have not employed doctors, who previously were being employed automatically after internships,” Dr Denis Miskellah Mbega, Kenya Medical Pharmacists and Dentist Union deputy secretary general said.