A group of Kenyan clinical officers Clinical officers, numbering about 2,000, continue to wait for their posting by the Ministry of Health.
The affected officers have expressed their frustration over the delay, citing a lack of communication from the ministry.
One of the affected officers, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, stated that some of them had completed their university exams as early as May 2022 and had taken their board exams in September of the same year.
However, they have been waiting for their posting for almost a year since then.
Under the previous regime, the officer added, the process of posting interns was smooth, and they were typically posted as early as November.
This year, however, only a handful of healthcare workers were posted in January after the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) exerted pressure on the Ministry of Health.
The affected clinical officers have lamented the unfairness of the situation, as they are unable to practice without a license, which they can only obtain after completing their internship.
They have attempted to get the attention of the ministry through their union and online, but to no avail.
The Ministry of Health has yet to provide any communication on the matter, leaving the clinical officers stranded and uncertain about their future.
They are now appealing to the public to help them bring this issue to the forefront and prompt the ministry to take action.
This delay in posting clinical officers is a cause for concern, especially in a country where the healthcare system is already struggling with a shortage of medical personnel.
The Ministry of Health should urgently address this issue and provide clarity on the timeline for posting these clinical officers to alleviate their frustration and anxiety.