Clinical officers allege discrimination by SHA

Clinical officers have alleged systemic discrimination and bureaucratic hurdles that undermine their role in healthcare delivery under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The clinicians now want President William Ruto to intervene and streamline the implementation of SHA to alleviate the suffering of patients.

Kenya Clinical Officers Association (KCOA) President, Moses Konde Matole, claimed that there is a deliberate scheme by SHA to sideline clinical officers, despite their pivotal role in the healthcare system.

Matole emphasised that clinical officers are well-trained professionals with the requisite skills and regulated by an Act of Parliament through the Clinical Officers Council (COC).

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He spoke during the 16th Annual Scientific Conference for Clinical Officers in Malindi.

"It is unfortunate that despite our extensive training and contribution to healthcare, we are being systematically undermined. Clinical officers play a vital role at all levels of healthcare, yet we are being denied the authority to pre-authorise specialised procedures. This is not just unfair but also a major setback for universal healthcare in Kenya," Matole said.

Patrick Chemosit, a clinical officer from Bungoma County, said that SHA was initially formulated to improve healthcare access for all Kenyans but cartels within the Ministry of Health have allegedly hijacked the system, limiting the ability of clinical officers to function effectively.

"The Director General of Health knows very well that 80 per cent of healthcare services in this country are delivered by clinical officers, yet decisions made at Afya House seem to deliberately exclude us. The question we are asking Dr Amoth is, Why are the main drivers of healthcare being blocked from serving Kenyans?" He posed.

Chemosit noted that clinical officers have been on strike for over 15 days, simply demanding to be involved in SHA decision-making.

He termed the continued exclusion of clinical officers unconstitutional and urged President Ruto to take immediate action to rectify the situation.

The clinical officers further claimed that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) was monopolising the healthcare sector, making policies that marginalise clinical officers at the expense of ordinary Kenyans.

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) Chairman Peterson Wachira, criticised the SHA system for forcing clinical officers to use medical officer licenses to pre-authorise procedures in their facilities.

Wachira said this unfairly places clinical officers under the control of KMPDC, an organisation that is predominantly for medical doctors.

"Clinical officers manage most Level 2 and 3 facilities in this country, where no medical officers are present. They also play a key role in outpatient services in Levels 4, 5, and 6. Why should they be forced to use a doctor's license to prescribe procedures when they are fully qualified to do so?" He posed. 

The KUCO Chairman further termed the SHA system discriminatory and unacceptable, demanding that clinical officers be allowed to exercise their professional mandate without unnecessary restrictions.

"We are equally trained to provide these services, and we will not allow this discrimination to continue. Clinical officers are the backbone of Kenya’s healthcare system, and we demand the right to serve our people without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles,” he said.

The clinical officers said that their fight is not just about professional recognition but about ensuring Kenyans have access to timely and quality healthcare services. 

"As the standoff continues, all eyes are now on the government’s response to the grievances raised by clinical officers, who remain determined to secure their rightful place in the country’s healthcare framework," said Wachira.