Duale stops salaries of 215 UHC workers for skipping headcount

The ministry of Health has stopped payment of salaries for 215 health workers employed under Universal Health Coverage (UHC) after they failed to turn up for head counting.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, in a statement, said that following a recent joint headcount exercise undertaken by the State Department for Medical Services in collaboration with the Council of Governors (CoG), out of the 7,629 staff who were verified, 215 did not present themselves, having been identified as either non-existent (ghost workers) or not qualified health professionals.

He said that in addition to stopping payment of their salaries, the workers have been removed from the payroll pending further investigations to prosecute, determine and recover the irregular payment.

“Consequently, the remaining 7,414 staff will be categorised into two groups: those currently in active service and those with pending disciplinary issues. Staff in active service will be formally transitioned and absorbed with effect from September 2025,” Duale said.

He added that UHC Staff members absent from duty or having disciplinary issues, will not be absorbed, saying such cases will be reviewed in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC), in line with PSC Regulations 2020 on Human Resource which provides for separation, removal from the payroll, and other disciplinary measures.

“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Council of Governors, PSC, and other stakeholders, remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency in the absorption process while safeguarding the rights of eligible officers,” Duale said.

He added that the process underscores the unwavering commitment to reforms in the health sector, efficient management of public resources, and realisation of the Government’s pledge to achieve UHC.