This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
Kenyan hospitals are facing a significant challenge with high absenteeism rates among medical staff. A report by the Kenya Health Service Delivery Indicator reveals that over 50% of doctors, nurses, and clinical officers are absent from work on any given day.
The report, which covered 3,095 facilities across the country, found that doctors and nurses recorded the highest rates of absence at 60.7% and 49.5% respectively. Clinical officers were also absent at a rate of 49.5%.
According to the report, the absence of medical staff was more prevalent in public hospitals than in private facilities. National Council for Population and Development director-general Josephine Kibaru attributed the high absenteeism rates to authorised leave by supervisors.
“In any workplace setting, absence may be authorised or unauthorised,” said Ms Kibaru. “However, from a consumer’s perspective, these providers are not available to deliver services at the facility, whether authorised or not.”
Ms Kibaru noted that health workers, especially in urban areas, had been granted permission to advance their studies, attend training and seminars, or workshops without being replaced. She called on employers to find a balance between granting leave and ensuring quality services are offered to clients.
However, Kenya Medical Association Secretary General Simon Kigondu disagreed, stating that doctors who had been granted leave from work should not be recorded as absent.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
