This archive report was first published on 28 October 2021.
Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, expressed disappointment over the poor performance of Kenyan health workers in English language tests required for UK jobs.
As part of a new scheme requested by Kenya this year, jobless Kenyan nurses and other health workers were given the opportunity to work in the UK's National Health Service before returning to Kenya.
However, only a minority of those who applied qualified for the jobs, with CS Kagwe revealing that out of 300 health workers sent for an English language test, only 10 passed.
Speaking during the Kenya Clinical Officers Association scientific conference in Mombasa, CS Kagwe urged health workers to work hard to meet the employment standards set for jobs abroad.
He refuted claims that the government has resorted to exporting its labour workforce abroad instead of employing them, stating that countries they are exporting health workers to are not doing them a favour, but rather helping them when they are in need.
CS Kagwe emphasized the need for a universal standard and quality training for health workers, including technology training, as many destination countries have gone paperless.
Despite the challenges, the government will continue to negotiate for Kenyan health workers to work in Europe and the Middle East.
Published on October 28, 2021.
