The government has started a new process to improve how health workers are trained in the country, as part of efforts to raise the quality of care.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Wednesday launched a multi-sector team that will look into reforms in health training.
The team, known as a Technical Working Group, has been formed after talks between the Health and Education ministries on how to better align training with the country’s needs.
Speaking during the launch, Duale said Kenya needs health workers who are well trained, skilled, and ready to serve if the country is to achieve universal health coverage.
During the meeting, officials pointed out several problems affecting training. These include courses that do not match what is needed on the ground, too many students compared to available training space in hospitals, and some qualifications not being fully recognised.
There were also concerns that some programmes go beyond what professionals are supposed to handle, which could affect the quality of care.
The new team has now been given the job of coming up with a clear training system that will ensure students are properly prepared before joining the workforce.
The reforms will also look at how to match training with the real health needs in the country, including diseases affecting Kenyans and the number of health workers required in all 47 counties.
These reforms will be carried out in accordance with the World Health Organization guidelines and will concentrate on raising standards after the level of training has been attained.
According to Duale, his ministry is determined to see these reforms implemented successfully since collaborating with educational institutions and regulators, among others, will contribute towards better performance.
There were also representatives of both ministries, including Principal Secretaries and technical officers at the meeting.
