Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has made an appeal to doctors nationwide, urging them to dedicate more time to providing medical care in public hospitals rather than focusing on their privately owned clinics.
Governor Njuki, who also serves as the Council of Governors (COG) Health Chairperson, emphasized the prevalent issue of doctors spending considerable time in their private practices, often neglecting their duties in public health facilities.
This plea follows the recent resolution between the government and healthcare workers, marking the end of a grueling 56-day strike. Governor Njuki reassured doctors of the government’s commitment to meeting their demands while urging them to prioritize serving the public.
“With the increase in pay and allowances, I appeal to doctors to allocate the majority of their time to public health facilities, which are funded by taxpayers, rather than their profit-driven private clinics,” Mr. Njuki stated.
The Governor issued a stern warning to doctors in Tharaka Nithi County, emphasizing heightened monitoring of their working hours to ensure optimal service delivery to residents.
“We are closely monitoring the hours doctors spend in our hospitals. If we have welcomed you back and agreed to meet your demands, we expect strict adherence to your duties,” affirmed Mr. Njuki.
According to the Governor, the resolution of the doctors’ strike signifies a collective commitment to seamless service provision in hospitals and the realization of an inclusive healthcare system aligned with President William Ruto’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
“The prolonged negotiations aimed to avoid the mistakes of the past, notably the politically motivated 2017 CBA, which proved unimplementable. The government is now fully committed to fulfilling its agreements,” Mr. Njuki asserted.
He reiterated the Council of Governors’ unwavering dedication to ensuring uninterrupted service delivery, aiming for an enhanced and efficient healthcare system nationwide.
Governor Njuki made these remarks during a church service at Igakiramba Catholic Church in Mwimbi Ward, Maara Constituency.
