Kisumu County Governor Anyang' Nyong'o has asked the national government to reverse the decision to withdraw Cuban doctors from the country.

According to Nyong'o, the measure is expected to disrupt vital health-care services in county hospitals with Cuban doctors.

 The Governor said that health is a devolved duty, and the national government should have contacted the county governments before taking such action.

PHOTO | COURTESY Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o

He noted that the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) had three Cuban doctors and that the government has yet to find replacements.

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"It would have been both constitutionally correct and prudent to consult with county governments prior to making such a decision." We have three Cuban doctors at JOOTRH, for example: an oncologist, a dermatologist, and a cardiologist. Where will we get replacements for these doctors?" He made a posture,

"What will happen to our cancer patients if the Cuban doctors leave without replacements?" And we know for a fact that cancer is on the rise throughout Kenya. The reasonable decision would have been, first and foremost, to identify Kenyan doctors who could replace the Cubans before they were evacuated."he added.

PHOTO | COURTESY Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o

Nyongo, speaking to the press, said the abrupt pullout was unreasonable and would plunge the country into a severe health crisis.

He claims that training such professionals takes years and a lot of money and that the government should reverse their decision or replace them.

“I know that people in government who make these decisions can afford to be treated abroad, ordinary Kenyans unfortunately cannot. May I plead with the Kenya Kwanza government to rescind this decision immediately; discuss with the Council of Governors what needs to be done regarding the Cuban doctors and their replacements without being in a hurry to score political Bonga points,” he stated.

These remarks follow the announcement by Health Cabinet Secretary Wafula Nakhumicha that Kenya will not renew the contracts of Cuban doctors who have worked in the country since 2018.