The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has rejected the formation of a Presidential Task Force on Human Resources for Health, citing a duplication of functions.
In a statement, KMA Secretary General Dr. Diana Marion stated that the task force’s mandate is already being carried out by other constitutional organizations.
Some of the organizations are the Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council (KHHRAC) and the Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority (KHPOA).
According to KMA, KHHRAC is responsible for examining policies and creating criteria for posting interns, inter-country transfers of healthcare professionals, welfare schemes, and keeping a master record.
At the same time, KHPOA maintains a duplicate registry for all health professionals, promotes and controls interprofessional liaison, handles patient complaints, arbitrates conflicts, and ensures that health practitioner standards are met.
Following the 56-day physicians’ strike, the Return to Work formula called for the formation of a task force.
However, the KMA advocated for the establishment of a constitutional Health Service Commission (HSC) to centrally manage the Human Resources for Health role.
Some of the suggested functions include developing training standards, a code of conduct, recruiting and remuneration, and registering health workers.
It will also manage recruiting and deployment, as well as the rationalization of remuneration and terms of service for the country’s health staff.
On July 6, President William Ruto named the 20-member committee.
He appointed Khama Rogo as chairperson and Judith Guserwa as vice-chairperson of the task force.
