Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki on Saturday joined nurses from across the country at St Charles Lwanga Muthambi Catholic Church for the climax of the nurses’ week that has seen them visit individuals, families and communities to offer health services.
The nurses’ week that ran through May 6th -12th was commemorated under the theme: A voice to lead, invest in nursing and respect right to secure global health.
Governor Njuki congratulated the nurses for their exemplary service to the people, saying when he assumed office in 2013 most of the health facilities were closed and nurses were out in the streets due to unpaid wages.
Out of 1,732 health workers in the county, 604 (34%) are nurses.
“Nurses form the human source for health that drive health services in Tharaka Nithi. I can not imagine a county without nurses” – Governor Njuki
According to Njuki, before 2017 the county government accumulated arrears totaling to 154 million, an amount he says his government has been able to pay fully to cater for salary arrears, uniform allowances, SRC allowances and nursing services allowances. Pending promotions have also been taken care of in his government.
Governor Njuki further noted that the stand off between the government and the Pension Fund was resolved, with the enrollment of staff into the pension scheme going on.
263 nurses have been enrolled, with 97 to the national scheme. 83 nurses have been admitted into permanent and pensionable scheme and 90 appointed through the universal health care.
308 nurses in the county have been promoted so far under his regime.
The expenditure on drugs has also risen from 50 million in 2017, to 167 million per year under Njuki’s term, an increase he has attributed to patient influx at health facilities across and beyond the county.
Tharaka Nithi County has over the years continued to shine bright in healthcare services, with the county ranked as having the best managed healthcare at the 3rd edition of the Quality Healthcare Kenya Awards.
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