Catholic bishops want Cuban doctors to also work in faith-based facilities

The Catholic Church has called on the government to extend the services of Cuban doctors to faith-based health faclities to ensure all Kenyans are served equally.

Bishop Joseph Mbatia, the Chairperson of the health Commission at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, on Sunday said the Catholic Church had established health facilities in almost all corners of the country, hence, it would be prudent for their hospitals to also benefit from the Cuban expertise.

Mbatia, who is also the Diocese of Nyahururu Bishop, said extending the Cuban doctors services to their institutions will also help reach Kenyans in far-flung corners of the country.

“Since Health is among the Big 4 Agenda, I would like to urge the government to also let these doctors serve in faith-based health facilities to have all Kenyans access their services,” said Bishop Mbatia.

His sentiments were echoed by the Diocese of Embu Catholic Bishop Paul Kariuki who challenged all Kenyans to ensure they are registered with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to be able to access good healthcare.

The two spoke at Consolata Mission Hospital Kyeni during the launch of the hospital’s digital Radiology Centre and five-year strategic plan.

The hospital serves patients from Embu, Tharaka-Nithi and Kirinyaga Counties among other counties in Mt. Kenya region.

Cuban doctors arrived in Kenya on June 6 and spent a month at the Government School of Science before being deployed to the counties.

They include three radiologists, 5 nephrologists, orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons and neurologists.

The government said the specialists from Cuba, will build capacity in Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals across the country.