KMA proposes formation of a national health services commission to address healthcare crisis
The proposed commission aims to address these challenges by improving governance, enhancing workforce management, and ensuring a more efficient allocation of resources.
The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) is proposing the establishment of a national health services commission as a transformative solution to Kenya's healthcare workforce crisis.
With the healthcare system under strain due to a shortage of qualified professionals, poor working conditions and an alarming brain drain, the proposal aims to address systemic issues that hinder the delivery of quality care and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
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In an article authored by the association, KMA’s Policy Advocacy and Communications Committee Convener Wairimu Mwaniki highlights the critical challenges facing Kenya's healthcare workforce.
She says the poor coordination between national and county governments, limited training opportunities, and a lack of sufficient resources are contributing to the strain. She also notes that the current system is not producing enough trained healthcare professionals, and there is little clarity regarding career progression for healthcare workers.
KMA believes that the establishment of a national health services commission will be a transformative solution.
The proposed commission aims to address these challenges by improving governance, enhancing workforce management, and ensuring a more efficient allocation of resources.
By bridging the gap between the national and county governments, the commission could streamline policy implementation and foster better planning for healthcare staffing and training.
"Kenya's healthcare system can't function without a well-supported workforce. A National Health Services Commission, through supporting better healthcare planning, could significantly contribute to building a more resilient health workforce that meets the healthcare needs of all Kenyans," said KMA.
The commission's proposed role would include enhancing healthcare worker training, promoting better working conditions, and addressing the migration of skilled professionals abroad.
KMA also argues that the commission would strengthen health regulatory frameworks and create a centralised data system to track workforce distribution, which is crucial for effective healthcare planning and deployment.
"By improving governance and data management, the commission would help streamline healthcare leadership, address staffing shortages, and support the retention of skilled professionals," said KMA.
In the face of these challenges, KMA asserts that without a well-supported healthcare workforce, achieving UHC in Kenya is unattainable.
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