Hundreds of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers from the seven counties in the North Rift region, Thursday held a demonstration on the streets of Kitale town, Trans Nzoia County demanding for conversion of their terms of employment to permanent and pensionable as well payment of all gratuities.
The UHC workers were employed on a five-year contract in 2020 during the COVID-19 period.
During the peaceful demonstration, the health workers took their petition to the office of Governor George Natembeya, a member of the Council of Governors and Trans Nzoia County Assembly.
Led by Patrick Sitati, their National Secretary representative, the health workers said the Ministry of Health should give them permanent and pensionable terms.
“8,571 UHC workers were employed in 2022. However, we feel discriminated against because the Ministry of Health absorbed just 108 workers working in national healthcare facilities leaving us behind. Is that not discrimination?” Sitati asked.
Importance of Universal Health Coverage workers in Kenya
Ben Kirwa, a UHC nurse in Nandi County said the government seems to have forgotten them despite implementing the much popularised UHC programme.
“The government is just focusing on the Community Health Promoters. So are the CHPS going to serve the community and the people in the facilities or all these healthcare professionals?” questioned the agitated nurse.
Joylene Maiyo, a nurse in Uasin Gishu County called on President William Ruto’s administration to consider them.
“Even though we work just like our colleagues who are on permanent and pensionable jobs, we get half their salary. Some of us died during the COVID-19 period and it is only fair that we are confirmed because we were on the frontline,” Maiyo appealed.
Mibei Elphas and Moses Samurumwa said the medics are highly demotivated and not ready to go back to job until their issues are addressed.
“As UHC workers, we feel not valued by the government and therefore we will not go back to work until such a time that our concerns are amicably addressed and a return to work formula is signed,” Mibei noted.
Their petition was received by Patrick Gacheru, the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Trade in the County government of Trans Nzoia.
The demonstration was attended by healthcare workers working in Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Turkana and West Pokot.
