Kenya is gearing up for a significant transformation in its healthcare sector, with the impending Pre-National Dialogue on Health Workforce Development and Management. This initiative, spearheaded by the Kenya Healthcare Human Resources Advisory Council (KHHRAC), alongside the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors, sets the stage for a National Dialogue scheduled for October 18, 2023.

Established just a year ago, KHHRAC plays a pivotal role in harmonizing and coordinating policy matters related to healthcare human resources. In Kenya, a complex web of institutions, including the Ministry of Health and various regulatory bodies, contributes to the healthcare workforce. However, the absence of standardized recruitment, promotion, and training processes, coupled with uneven pay for similar roles, has led to worker dissatisfaction and threats of industrial unrest.

KHHRAC’s primary mission is to bridge these policy gaps and create synergy through interagency, intersectoral, and intergovernmental engagement. Rather than advocating for centralization, it emphasizes the importance of well-coordinated dialogues and values professional input as a key element in sustainable solutions.

The Pre-National Dialogue, scheduled for October 11 and 12 in Nairobi, will serve as a platform to prioritize these issues and craft a comprehensive plan for strengthening the human resources for health function, contributing significantly to universal health coverage.

Recognizing the burgeoning importance of the care economy on a global scale, Kenya is poised to cultivate a strong, harmonious healthcare workforce. As the world anticipates a substantial increase in care employment, Kenya’s forward-thinking approach will ensure its healthcare workforce is well-prepared to deliver top-quality healthcare services.

These preliminary discussions pave way for a meaningful transformation in Kenya’s healthcare sector, enhancing workforce performance and advancing the mission of universal health coverage.