On the compensation it could be argued that
the doctors would be working in the difficult
areas but with new specialists coming out every
year I do not understand how the government
will fail to get doctors if it gave them the same
package.If I had my way I would propose
that the government should also be sued
for flouting its own public procurement
procedures that requires advertisement and
application for jobs. We should also accuse
the government for marginalizing its own
people. Kenyan doctors live in Kenya with
their families and support the economy. The
Cuban’s family will be in Cuba and we will
be enriching the Cuban government courtesy
of public funds which can be better utilized
on our own unemployed Kenyan doctors at a
more cost effective rate.
I love the idea of security, fully furnished
apartments, gas and so on. What will they be
working for. We know in Kenya the biggest
expense anyone has are housing, transport and
security. If things are bad we can always eat
Ugali and Sukuma Wiki and life goes on. Why
should foreigners earning more than double of
their official counterparts be treated with kids
gloves and local doctors are arrested and jailed
for demanding better terms for themselves
and their patients?. Surely our priorities are
misplaced.
Unpaid registrars: this has been the bane for
Kenyatta National Hospital and the trump
card used by students. I firmly agree and I
feel it is about time that this problem was
dealt with however what is being paid to
the Cubans may have been considered to be
utilized to recognize the hard work done by
our junior colleagues in residency training. The
scope of this article will not allow us to delve
further than that.
What is clear is both Government and health
professionals want healthcare to improve.
For this to happen both Government and
healthcare professionals should work hand in
hand to come up with solutions tailor made
for this wonderful country. No foreigner no
matter how good their intention is going to
solve the problem in your kitchen. Let us all
pull together and get a homegrown solution
for healthcare puzzle.
Dr. Maureen Owiti is a practicing Obstetrician
Gynaecologist and fertility consultant
based in Nairobi. You can commune with
her on this or related matters via email at:
[email protected].