The Health Bill 2017 is causing jitters between doctors and nurses with the latter petitioning the President not to assent it into law.
National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) officials have opposed the bill passed by the parliament last month without any amendments despite them having raised objection.
NNAK national chairman Alfred Obengo said the bill sidelines nurses by only recognizing doctors and clinical officers in management and policy making decisions.
“It is unfortunate that the bill only recognizes the two only healthcare professional blocking nurses who are equally qualified enough to lead healthcare system in Kenya,” Obengo said.
He claimed that the bill acknowledges heads of level 3 to level five hospitals as only those registered with Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDU), thus leaving out nurses.
Obengo said nurses are calling for a fair playing ground because the move was discriminatory.
But KMPDU national chairman Dr. Samuel Oroko termed the bill fair and aimed at streamlining the chaos that have characterised the health sector after the implementation of devolution.
