President William Ruto has extended the operational period of the Presidential Taskforce on Human Resources for Health which includes key members among them the Director General of Health Patrick Amoth.
In an announcement via the gazette notice published on Friday, December 13, Ruto announced that the task force operational period will be extended for 60 days.
The task force was appointed by Ruto on July 5, this year with many objectives key among them to formulate comprehensive strategies and policies to enhance the health care services in the country.
The task force will run till March 5, next year to enable it to meet the targets and policy decisions that it was handed to come up with at the expiry of the extension.
Health Director-General Patrick Amoth posing for a photo during a session.
Patrick Amoth
”It is notified for the general information of the public that, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces have further extended the period of the task force appointed vide Gazette Notice No. 3039 of 2024, for sixty (60) days, with effect from the 5th January, 2025,” read part of the notice by the President.
The task force is led by Khama Rogo who acts as the Chairperson and Judith Guserwa the Vice Chairperson.
Other task force members include Patrick Amoth, John Masasabi, Toseef Din, Wilson Aruasa, Doreen Rhoda Kanyua, Dennis Miskellah, Francis Wafula, Habiba Mohammed, Lucy Mburu, Collins Kiprono, Victor Miseda, Christine Okoth and six others.
The task force currently reports to the President and the Ministry of Health, and is mandated to recommend and identify the legal, policy, administrative, and operational constraints impeding the performance of the healthcare sector in Kenya regarding human resources for health.
The team also identifies and recommends legal, policy, administrative, institutional, and operational human resources for health reforms in Kenya.
The task force was additionally mandated to advise and recommend the framework for the employment of 20,000 healthcare workers: doctors, nurses, and clinical officers to bridge the doctor-patient gap.
Upon completion of its term, it will then submit a review of the performance of human resources for health services in Kenya and recommend improvement.
Consequently, the team will table a detailed assessment of the steps it shall have taken to address current challenges and gaps in the recruitment, replacement, training, and retention of healthcare professionals.
Doctors strike outside Afya House in Nairobi.
Photo
Anadolu Agency
