The Nairobi Women’s Hospital College Chairman Dr. Lawrence Ndombi has called on the government to involve private sector stakeholders, especially private hospitals, in the implementation of the primary healthcare insurance scheme under the Social Health Authority (SHA) for better uptake.
Dr. Ndombi noted that a better working relationship with private hospitals would help the government achieve its target of enabling more Kenyans to access healthcare.
He was speaking at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital College’s 10th graduation ceremony in Nairobi on Sunday where over 900 graduands of the college were conferred with certificates.
“Hospitals play a crucial role and we would like the government to involve us, especially the private sector, even as we transition from NHIF to SHA,” said Dr. Ndombi.
The ceremony was officiated by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Aurelia Rono who lauded the graduands for their achievements and for making their parents and the institution proud.
“We congratulate the Nairobi Women’s Hospital College for producing graduates with quality skills that is badly needed out there in the market,” she said.
Dr. Rono stressed the fact that the demand for health workers in the country and internationally has exceeded the needed manpower.
The PS said over 1 million young Kenyans get into the job market every year and commended the college’s intervention to release the 900 qualified personnel into the healthcare market.
Nairobi Women’s Hospital College Executive Director and Principal, Ruth Osoo, said the college’s mission remains to produce graduates with the right skills for employability, independence and service.
“Our faculty and staff dedication and commitment to excellence has been instrumental in shaping not only the success of the institution but also the future of healthcare in the country,” she stated, adding that “wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”
Nairobi Women’s Hospital College founder Dr. Sam Thenya, who was also among the speakers at the event, decried the shortage of healthcare personnel urging the graduands to “continue to pursue excellence with passion and humility as you transform the health sector.”
