The Kenya health sector is at knees. The doctors decided to down their tools last week because the government had failed to listen to what they were demanding. Let us examine if what they are asking is valid and justified:
The Government of Kenya appended it signature in 2003 on the Abuja declaration that requires that the government allocate 15% of the total country's budget towards development and improvement of healthcare. It is shame that only a meager 5% of the country total budget is allocated to healthcare. Interrogating this keenly one is left wondering where this government priorities are. The people formulating policies relating to healthcare are asleep and should resign. only 33 shillings is allocated to each individual admitted in any government hospitals. One wonders what this is meant to cover. The government has blatantly failed to marshal enough resources to improve the conditions of the deplorable hospitals countrywide. The hospital lacks basic amenities and necessary equipment.
The fact that ICU is rare in provincial hospital is not only horrendous but regrettable. That is why, the only two referral hospitals are stretched to their capacity. If these hospitals were fitted with ICU then patients need not to travel far to access this vital service. But when did the rains start beating us you ask?
The government has either failed or is incompetent in formulating the best policies for this country. It's no wonder that our politicians earn better than our doctors, meaning we value politics more than healthcare. To any common person down in the village give him/her best health services and they will not want to know what those in politics are saying.
Its time that all concerned start lobbying the government to start working toward a better healthcare system. A healthy nation has many positive multiplier effects that include a robust economy. We are not asking for populist approach towards this but what is necessary and realistic. The doctors should also note that, the fact that they went to school for more years than other graduates qualify them a better salary. This argument is primitive and hold no water and undermines what they are agitating for.
Let the struggle continue ...
The Government of Kenya appended it signature in 2003 on the Abuja declaration that requires that the government allocate 15% of the total country's budget towards development and improvement of healthcare. It is shame that only a meager 5% of the country total budget is allocated to healthcare. Interrogating this keenly one is left wondering where this government priorities are. The people formulating policies relating to healthcare are asleep and should resign. only 33 shillings is allocated to each individual admitted in any government hospitals. One wonders what this is meant to cover. The government has blatantly failed to marshal enough resources to improve the conditions of the deplorable hospitals countrywide. The hospital lacks basic amenities and necessary equipment.
The fact that ICU is rare in provincial hospital is not only horrendous but regrettable. That is why, the only two referral hospitals are stretched to their capacity. If these hospitals were fitted with ICU then patients need not to travel far to access this vital service. But when did the rains start beating us you ask?
The government has either failed or is incompetent in formulating the best policies for this country. It's no wonder that our politicians earn better than our doctors, meaning we value politics more than healthcare. To any common person down in the village give him/her best health services and they will not want to know what those in politics are saying.
Its time that all concerned start lobbying the government to start working toward a better healthcare system. A healthy nation has many positive multiplier effects that include a robust economy. We are not asking for populist approach towards this but what is necessary and realistic. The doctors should also note that, the fact that they went to school for more years than other graduates qualify them a better salary. This argument is primitive and hold no water and undermines what they are agitating for.
Let the struggle continue ...
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