Economy

Kenya seeks Cuba medics to plug gaps

hospital

Patients stream into the Coast Provincial General Hospital on March 16, a day after the doctors’ strike ended. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI

Kenya is seeking surgeons and medical specialists from Cuba after it reached a deal to hire 500 general physicians from Tanzania over the weekend.

Kenya says has started preliminary talks with Caribbean island to offer specialised treatment in public hospitals, especially county hospitals that are have shortages as top doctors concentrate in Nairobi.

Cuba has sent health-care workers to countries ranging from Venezuela to Brazil to generate cash and spread what it regards as the social achievements of the Castro brothers’ 1959 revolution.

“I have been to Cuba even before the medics’ strike to look for doctors who have already completed their postgraduate to come here and breach the gap in facilities that do not mainly have specialist doctors,” said Health Secretary, Cleopa Mailu.

Caribbean island said earned about $8.2 billion (Sh844 billion) for exporting doctors.

The doctors earn less compared to local general physicians and specialists, offering additional attraction to Kenya.