lowereas
In a landmark move aimed at improving healthcare delivery and strengthening the county’s workforce, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has confirmed 216 healthcare workers who had served on contract for over three years to permanent and terms.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a special ceremony held at the Mother and Child Hospital, where Governor Kilonzo Jr. personally issued the confirmation letters to the newly appointed permanent staff.
Among those confirmed are 50 nurses, 24 registered clinical officers, 18 medical laboratory technologists, 12 pharmaceutical technologists, 11 psychological counsellors, and 4 emergency medical technicians, along with other critical healthcare professionals.
“This is a commitment to not only strengthening our health system, but also to investing in the people who make it work,” the governor stated. “Healthcare workers are the backbone of service delivery, and they deserve secure and fair terms of service.”
Governor Kilonzo Jr. underscored the need to address long-standing disparities faced by contract healthcare workers, including job insecurity, unequal pay, and limited access to professional growth opportunities. He noted that despite these challenges, contract workers have continued to serve diligently, often under difficult conditions.
To further boost staff morale and improve service delivery, the Governor revealed that 917 county employees across various cadres have recently been promoted after experiencing stagnation in their job groups for years. These include 56 doctors six of them consultants who were elevated to Job Group R. Additionally, three senior consultants were promoted to Job Group S in recognition of their specialized contributions to the county’s healthcare system.
In another significant step towards enhancing specialized care, Governor Kilonzo Jr. announced the hiring of Makueni’s first neurosurgeon, now stationed at the Makueni County Referral Hospital. The development is expected to expand the county’s capacity to handle complex neurological cases locally, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment in far-off facilities.
The ceremony was attended by key county leaders, including Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, several Members of the County Assembly, and members of the County Executive.
The move has been widely lauded as a progressive step in public service reform and a reflection of Governor Kilonzo Jr.’s continued efforts to prioritize human capital in the delivery of quality healthcare services in Makueni County.
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