Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru has transitioned 308 health workers from contract to permanent and pensionable terms and promoted 1,367 others. Governor Susan Kihika stated that the workers, who were either newly employed or promoted, include clinical officers, nurses, nutritionists, dietitians, laboratory technologists, and pharmacists.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ms. Kihika explained that their transition to permanent and pensionable terms was a clear statement of intent by the county government in transforming healthcare in the devolved unit. The Governor commended the health workers for their resilience and professionalism, assuring them of her support. Speaking at the County headquarters after overseeing the handover of appointment and promotion letters to the workers, she emphasized the importance of a stable workforce for consistent, quality, and accessible healthcare for Nakuru residents.
Governor Kihika noted that stability in employment translates directly into better service delivery and a healthier county. She highlighted the county administration’s belief that a well-motivated health workforce is essential for improving healthcare delivery and achieving better outcomes for locals. Additionally, she pledged the government’s commitment to ensuring adequate funding for the health department to maintain seamless service delivery.
The Governor underscored the need for investment in healthcare infrastructure, citing the high patient load at Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital. She emphasized the importance of improving the welfare of health workers to handle the increased workload. Accompanied by county officials, Ms. Kihika outlined ongoing health infrastructural improvement programs, including equipping facilities with modern medical equipment and ensuring a reliable drug supply.
The County administration has implemented monitoring and evaluation measures to ensure accountability in drug distribution and prevent misuse. Ms. Kihika announced plans to recruit additional health workers to meet staffing norms and reduce service delivery lead times. She commended healthcare workers for their efforts and prioritized completing stalled health projects.
The Governor also highlighted plans to upgrade sub-county hospitals to level five facilities, enhance maternity services, and deploy a robust ICT system for resource management. She praised the health department for organizing support groups for patients with non-communicable diseases, emphasizing the link between good health and food security.
