Global Demand for Nurses Deepens Crisis at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital
“The mass exodus of well-skilled and long-serving nurses to the US and UK annually has caused a deficit of 1,000 nurses at our hospital, MTRH CEO
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The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret is grappling with a substantial shortage of experienced nurses, as many are migrating to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States in search of better opportunities. This trend has resulted in a deficit of approximately 1,000 nurses at the facility.
Annual Resignation Rates Highlight Growing Concern
Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Philip Kirwa, has reported that between 60 and 100 nurses resign annually to pursue employment abroad. He noted that out of the hospital’s 4,500 nurses, a significant number are in the process of relocating to Europe and the Middle East, attracted by higher salaries and more favorable working conditions. Kirwa stated, “The mass exodus of well-skilled and long-serving nurses to the US and UK annually has caused a deficit of 1,000 nurses at our hospital, and it has not been easy to fill the gap owing to budgetary constraints from the National Treasury.”
Calls for Government Intervention
In response to this crisis, Kirwa has urged the national government to intervene by allocating sufficient funds for the recruitment of new nurses. He emphasized that the migration of nurses is detrimental to the delivery of effective health services at MTRH and called for measures to curb the trend. “Unless the government moves with speed and addresses the welfare of nurses in the country, our public hospitals will continue to experience more shortages of skilled and experienced nurses,” he observed.
Broader Implications for Kenya’s Healthcare System
The situation at MTRH reflects a nationwide challenge. According to the Nursing Council of Kenya, more than 800 nurses leave the country each year, primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom, exacerbating the shortage of healthcare professionals in local hospitals . This trend not only depletes Kenya’s healthcare workforce but also represents a significant economic loss. Research indicates that the cost of educating a single nurse from primary school to college is approximately $43,180, and for every nurse who emigrates, the country loses about $338,868 worth of returns from investment .
Government Initiatives and Ongoing Challenges
In an effort to address unemployment among healthcare workers, the Kenyan government signed a bilateral agreement with the UK in 2021 to send 20,000 nurses to fill shortages in the UK . While this initiative aims to provide employment opportunities, it raises concerns about further depleting the local healthcare workforce. Health sector stakeholders have called for a balanced approach that ensures the well-being of Kenyan citizens by retaining adequate healthcare personnel domestically .
The ongoing migration of nurses underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to improve remuneration, working conditions, and career progression opportunities within Kenya’s healthcare system to retain skilled professionals and ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services.
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