Nairobi, Kenya – (African Boulevard News) – In a surprising turn of events, the Kenyan government has decided to terminate its agreement with Cuba to swap doctors. Health Minister Nakumicha Wafula made the announcement during a meeting with health industry workers in Nairobi, and the news was met with applause and shouts of “yes, yes!”
The deal, which was signed in 2018, aimed to address the shortage of doctors in Kenya by bringing in Cuban doctors to work in the country’s rural areas. In exchange, Kenyan doctors were sent to Cuba for specialized training. However, the program faced criticism from various stakeholders, including doctors’ unions who claimed that the deal undermined the country’s efforts to train and retain its own doctors.
Minister Wafula highlighted the government’s decision to end the agreement, stating that it was in the best interest of the country’s healthcare system. She said, “We have evaluated the impact of the program on our healthcare sector and concluded that it is not yielding the desired results. Our focus now is to invest in training and retaining our own doctors.”
The move has been welcomed by many in the medical community who believe that investing in local healthcare professionals is the way forward. Dr. John Kipkoech, the Secretary-General of the Kenya Medical Association, expressed his support for the government’s decision. He stated, “We have talented doctors in Kenya who can provide quality healthcare services if given the right resources and support. This decision will encourage them and boost their morale.”
While the Cuban doctors who were already working in Kenya will be allowed to complete their contracts, no new doctors will be brought in under the program. The government’s decision has sparked a renewed focus on improving the local healthcare system, with plans to increase the number of medical schools and provide better working conditions for doctors.
Critics of the termination argue that the program was beneficial in addressing the doctor shortage in rural areas. However, the government is committed to finding alternative solutions to ensure quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
The decision to end the deal with Cuba is a significant step towards prioritizing the country’s own healthcare resources. With a renewed focus on training and retaining doctors, Kenya aims to build a robust healthcare system that can meet the needs of its population. It is a bold move that signals a shift in strategy and a commitment to invest in its own people’s health.
In the midst of ongoing debates about the future of healthcare in Kenya, the government’s decision to terminate the agreement with Cuba sends a clear message – Kenya is taking charge of its own healthcare destiny.
