Late-Night Rush: Ruto’s Health CS Nominee Barasa Races to Clear Sh80,000 Debt, Save Confirmation
Shortly after President William Ruto put forward Dr. Deborah Barasa as his nominee for the role of Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Barasa took immediate action to address a pressing issue that threatened her potential appointment.
Within minutes of the announcement, she began efforts to raise Sh80,050, a crucial amount needed to settle an outstanding debt with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
This debt had resulted in her removal from the KMPDC’s roster of approved medical practitioners, creating a significant hurdle that could impede her confirmation by Parliament.
The urgency of this financial matter came into sharp focus following increased scrutiny from social media users.
As individuals delved into Dr. Barasa’s background to better understand her qualifications and suitability for the position, they unearthed this substantial issue.
The discovery of her unresolved debt became a major point of concern, casting a shadow over her nomination and potentially complicating her path to confirmation.
Kenya Medical Union Congratulates Debra Mulongo Barasa as New Health CS Nominee Amidst Intern Doctor Disputes
The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union has extended its congratulations to Debra Mulongo Barasa, who has been nominated as the new Health Cabinet Secretary.
Barasa was one of the 10 nominees announced by President William Ruto last Friday.
Pending successful vetting and approval by the National Assembly, Barasa will replace Susan Nakhumicha as the Health CS.
In a statement, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah expressed optimism that Barasa will address the issues concerning doctor interns.
“KMPDU congratulates Dr. Deborah Mulongo Barasa on her nomination as the Health Cabinet Secretary. We warmly welcome her to the important role of ensuring high-quality healthcare systems for all Kenyans, alongside fair working conditions for all health workers,” Atellah said.
He also noted that the union is prepared to offer its expertise to support her in her new role.
“As a young medical doctor and specialist physician, we trust she will efficiently tackle the significant task of resolving the disputes related to internships and the legal aspects of the social health authority,” Atellah added.
Barasa, an expert in infectious diseases with over 18 years of experience in healthcare and health programs, is an Internal Medicine physician and Infectious Disease Expert with the World Health Organization.
She develops sustainable programs in Eastern and Southern Africa, helps member states create and implement national action plans, and provides technical guidance on global policies and guidelines.
Barasa holds a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine from the University of Nairobi (Sept 2012 – Dec 2017) and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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She also has a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree.
Her primary skills include Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease, and she specializes in the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases for clinical cases and public health programs.
If the National Assembly’s vetting panel approves her, Barasa will join the ministry at a time when there are ongoing issues with intern doctors.
The KMPDU members had been on strike for 56 days.
However, discontented intern doctors initiated new protests at Afya House on Monday, July 8, to voice their frustrations over prolonged delays in their official postings.
Their protests lasted for four days, during which they camped at the Ministry of Health’s main gate on some nights, until they ended the protest on Thursday, July 11, citing goodwill.
They expressed their dedication to a fair resolution of the current issues but warned that they would resume protests if their concerns were not addressed.
“In a gesture of goodwill, we have decided to suspend the planned assembly and demonstration at Afya House scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, July 12, 2024,” stated the intern medics.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists’ Union signed an addendum to the Return-to-Work Formula concerning the posting of intern doctors.
The new agreement updates the previous Return-to-Work Formula signed on May 8, 2024.
“This important agreement, finalized amid ongoing negotiations, ensures the immediate posting of 1,210 intern doctors, allowing them to commence their internships by August 1, 2024,” said Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni in a statement.
Late-Night Rush: Ruto’s Health CS Nominee Barasa Races to Clear Sh80,000 Debt, Save Confirmation
