Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Demands Accountability from Health Officials
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers threatens to impeach senior health officials for obstructing Universal Health Coverage. They claim underlying corruption is compromising healthcare access and demand accountability from leadership. The issues stem from ongoing strikes and public grievances regarding health service delivery.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has issued a warning regarding the potential impeachment of senior officials within the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority (SHA). This threat arises from allegations that these officials are obstructing the full implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), contributing to the hardships faced by Kenyans seeking healthcare services.
KUCO has accused entrenched cartels in both the Ministry and SHA of prioritizing personal financial interests, necessitating decisive actions against their leadership. KUCO National Chairman Patterson Wachira disclosed that a censure motion has been filed against SHA officials, including Chairman Dr. Abdi Mohamed and Acting CEO Robert Ingasira, which received over 1,000 endorsements from the public.
Wachira urged Parliament members to act against SHA leadership, citing the violation of Kenyans’ right to health as outlined in Article 43 of Kenya’s Constitution. He warned that Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa and other senior officials risk facing similar censure if immediate improvements are not made in the health sector.
The call for action stems from ongoing strikes by unionized clinical officers, who are demanding a return-to-work agreement and their inclusion in SHA. Wachira elaborated that should the situation remain unresolved, the union plans to gather more signatures for further impeachment actions.
Additionally, he outlined four impeachment grounds, including discrimination against clinical officers, denial of Kenyans’ access to healthcare, unlawful restrictions on clinical officers’ authority, and violations of constitutional leadership principles. “We have a right to ensure that those in office fulfill their responsibilities and serve the public lawfully,” he stated.
Wachira reflected on the potential of SHA, asserting that it could have outperformed the former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) had it not been compromised by corrupt interests. He criticized the disproportionate influence of medical officers in decision-making processes, exacerbating inequities in healthcare.
The Annual Ophthalmic Clinical Officers Conference was attended by key figures in the clinical community, including Mr. Moses Konde Matole, President of the Kenya Clinical Officers Association, and Mr. George Ohito, Chairman of the Ophthalmic Clinical Officers Association. Their presence highlights the shared commitment to addressing the ongoing crises in health governance in Kenya.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers is advocating for the impeachment of top health officials due to their alleged failure to facilitate Universal Health Coverage. The union emphasizes the necessity of leadership accountability and seeks public support to address systemic issues within the health sector. Calls for change reflect the profound impact of healthcare mismanagement on Kenyans, reinforcing the need for equitable health services that align with constitutional rights.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
