Healthcare and Nursing in Kenya

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Nafula’s Scope of Work
Remuneration
Primary Health Concerns
Membership to Nursing Bodies
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Health has become one of the greatest global concerns today (Kagure, 2011). Efforts by the World Health Organization to improve healthcare standards by setting minimum requirements have not yielded significant results. Some scholars have claimed that healthcare provision depends on several factors that cannot be addressed by setting minimum requirements (Kagure, 2011). In this regard, Nafula – a Kenyan nurse – was interviewed with the aim of getting a general idea on the kind of healthcare services provided outside the US.

Nafula’s Scope of Work

A part from ensuring that patients are safe, clean and comfortable, Nafula notes that Kenyan nurses have the responsibility to ensure that treatment procedures are followed as directed. In addition, nurses are supposed to monitor patients for any signs that may require urgent intervention (Kagure, 2011).

There is a clear separation between the role of a nurse and the role of a doctor in Kenya. Unlike in the US where nurses are allowed to perform standardized procedures when they spot unusual symptoms, Kenyan nurses are expected to stay away from such roles. American nurses are more accommodated in decision making than Kenyan nurses who only play peripheral roles.

Remuneration

Nafula claims that Kenyan nurses are poorly paid. On average, a Kenyan nurse earns a basic salary of KSh.25, 000 per month. This is equivalent to $290. As Nafula observes, 25, 000 shillings cannot be enough considering the high cost of living in Kenya. Nafula says that because it has been very difficult to survive, they have been on strike several times but little has been done to address their plight. She also acknowledges that their poor remuneration has greatly affected their performance. Most of her colleagues solicit funds from patients before they can provide vital services. Patients who fail to bribe do not receive any services. Nafula notes that frustrated nurses can be very rough to patients. She recalls one episode in which a woman had to deliver on a floor after her husband failed to talk to the nurse in charge. In this case, according to Nafula, talking to a nurse means giving a bribe. The woman was also forced to wash the floor immediately after delivery.

Primary Health Concerns

Kenya is a growing economy (Chore, Karani & Chege, 2011). Like many other growing economies in Africa, Kenya faces numerous health care challenges. The country records high mortality rates among children and pregnant women. Malaria prevalence is still unacceptably high among poor Kenyans. In addition, deaths resulting from terminal diseases such as cancer remain high due to poor diagnosis (Chore et al., 2011). It has also been noted that there is a big gap between the rich and the poor. While the medical needs of rich Kenyans have been fully catered for, their poor counterparts still lose lives due to preventable causes (Chore et al., 2011). The Kenyan government has identified malaria, aids, cancer and maternity issues as potential health crises in the country. In this regard, policies have been put in place to address health problems but implementation has remained a problem. President Kenyatta recently ordered that pregnant women should not pay for maternity service. After this announcement, there was unprecedented congestion in public hospitals to an extent that most women ended up delivering without seeing a doctor or a nurse.

Membership to Nursing Bodies

Nafula is not a member to any international nursing organization. However, she is a member to the Nursing Council of Kenya which was established in 1985 to handle registration of nurses and enhance efficiency in the nursing field. Although much attention has been given to qualification, nurses believe that poor services have been caused by lack of motivation.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that global healthcare standards cannot be improved by only setting minimum requirements. Factors such as economic status and administrative abilities determine the kind of healthcare services a country can give to its citizens.

References

Chore, J. N., Karani A. & Chege. M. (2011). Assessment of Challenges Facing Preceptors at Kenyatta National Hospital Specialized Units. Kenya Nursing Journal, 40(1): 6-13

Kagure, K. A. (2011). Perception of bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) on their role on nursing in a hospital setting. Kenya Nursing Journal. 41(2): 23-33.

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