Government to Hire 7,000 Healthcare Workers to Address Staff Shortage
Eugine Wabwile Juma
2 min read
Duale made the announcement as the Ministry of Health flagged off more than 6,300 healthcare interns to begin their mandatory 12-month internship programme, a requirement that enables them to qualify for professional licensing in their respective fields.
BY CYNTHIA ELIZABETH
The government has announced plans to recruit 7,000 healthcare workers to help bridge the staffing gap in Kenya’s public health sector. Speaking during the commissioning and deployment of healthcare interns for the 2026/2027 cycle, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stated that the recruitment will include 5,000 nurses and midwives alongside 2,000 medical officers, aiming to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
Speaking during the commissioning and deployment of healthcare interns
for the 2026/2027 cycle, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the
recruitment will include 5,000 nurses and midwives alongside 2,000
medical officers in an effort to strengthen healthcare delivery across
the country.
Duale made the announcement as the Ministry of Health flagged off more
than 6,300 healthcare interns to begin their mandatory 12-month
internship programme, a requirement that enables them to qualify for
professional licensing in their respective fields.
Addressing the interns, the CS challenged them to uphold
professionalism, integrity, and high standards of patient care as they
begin service in health facilities across the country.
He acknowledged challenges facing the health sector, including
understaffing, inadequate medical supplies, and pressure on healthcare
personnel, noting that some interns are often deployed to facilities
operating with limited support.
Duale called on county governments to complement national government
efforts by increasing employment of healthcare workers and improving
working conditions within county health facilities.
professionalism, integrity, and high standards of patient care as they
begin service in health facilities across the country.
He further urged the interns to remain committed to serving
communities and maintaining ethical conduct in order to improve
patient outcomes and restore public confidence in the healthcare
system.
The Cabinet Secretary said the Ministry had made progress inaddressing delayed internship postings and resolving human resource concerns that had previously affected service delivery.He encouraged the interns to maintain open communication with supervisors and report challenges through the appropriate channels while undertaking their placements.
The government says the planned recruitment is part of broader efforts
to expand access to quality healthcare and strengthen service delivery
across the country.
