By Gerald Mukembu
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has called on doctors employed by government to observe work ethics.
The county boss said some doctors spend most of their time in their private clinics where they charge patients expensively denying the necessary patient attendance in public health facilities.
“Now that doctors have negotiated for better remuneration, we are asking them to concentrate in public hospitals and not their private clinics because they are being paid by the taxpayers,” Njuki said during the thanksgiving ceremony for the county’s Chief Officer in charge of Fisheries, Antony Kiruja in Mwimbi ward.
The county boss issued a stern warning to doctors in his county noting that there will be enhanced monitoring to ensure that there is value for the increased pay.
“We are closely monitoring the hours doctors spend in our hospitals. If we have welcomed you back and agreed to meet your demands, we expect strict adherence to your duties,” Njuki said.
Governor Njuki who is also the Council of Governors’ (CoG) Health Committee Chairperson said the recently signed return-to-work formula will see doctors earn handsomely.
He noted that most of the concerns that led to the national strike have been taken care of in his county apart from two that are currently being worked on.
However, Governor Njuki reassured doctors of the government’s commitment to honouring the agreement which brought to an end the 56-day national strike.
According to Njuki, the agreement that ended the strike indicates that President William Ruto’s government is committed to implementing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
He said the prolonged negotiations ensured that the mistakes that were made in the controversial agreement that led to the just-concluded strike were not repeated.
He reiterated the CoG’s dedication to ensuring uninterrupted service delivery, aiming for an enhanced and efficient healthcare system nationwide.
Njuki who visited Magutuni Level Four Hospital in Maara constituency in company of area MP Kareke Mbiuki, said a modern x-ray machine had been installed and a dental unit established at the facility.
He added that a laboratory will also be purchased for the newly established Makengi dispensary to ease access to healthcare services and decongest Magutuni Level Four Hospital.
The governor further urged political leaders in the county to tone down early campaigns and join hands to work for the constituents noting that their performance will mainly determine their reelection in the 2027 general elections.
Mbiuki and the county’s Women Representative Susan Ngugi asked Njuki to ensure that roads that have been damaged by the ongoing heavy rainfall are improved to facilitate transportation commitment which the county boss made.
