FUND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICERS TO ENHANCE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND PREVENTION UNION NOW DEMANDS

Public health practitioners  and environmental health union has called on the government to address emerging issues surrounding ministry of health some which had been contained especially the kala Zar outbreak which has left several Kenyans dead in Wajir county,the unknown outbreak of disease in kisii following drinking of contaminated water and cholera outbreak in Migori county.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi,the national secretary general of the union Brown Ashira has said the government should enhance funding to ensure the withdrawal of USAID funding does not affect preventive and promotive health services in the country in a bid to ease pressure on healthcare facilities thus reducing healthcare expenditure.

 According to Brown Ashira, counties should avail funds to public health officers and technicians charged with disease control and prevention to ensure they are facilitated to execute their mandate by enacting the FIF Acts and developing  further regulations.

The Union has strongly opposed the idea of merging regulatory bodies saying it will weaken the power of professional associations.Each profession is unique and faces different challenges which may not be addressed when merged.