The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) have signed a recognition agreement aimed at improving the welfare of clinical officers and strengthening labour relations at the facility.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at JOOTRH, KUCO Chairperson Peter Wachira said the agreement grants the union legal standing to formally engage the employer on staff welfare matters, noting that improved working conditions would ultimately enhance service delivery to patients.
“Signing of a recognition agreement is the initial stage that gives us legal standing to engage the employer as representatives of employees on welfare matters. When the welfare of workers is taken care of, it means Kenyans will receive better medical services, which is our ultimate goal and is in line with Vision 2030,” said Wachira, while thanking the hospital leadership for fast-tracking the process.
KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore called on the government to review policies that limit referral hospitals from offering outpatient services, arguing that the restrictions deny facilities vital resources and make it difficult for patients to access care.
“A referral facility is not eliminated from offering primary services. When you say patients cannot access outpatient care at the only nearby facility, you deny those institutions resources and make it difficult for patients to receive services. The Ministry of Health should reverse this,” said Gibore.
JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Clinton Okise said the recognition agreement marks the start of a formal partnership focused on improving staff welfare and enhancing healthcare quality at one of East Africa’s key referral facilities.
Okise added that the hospital is working to transition clinical officers from short-term six-month contracts to permanent employment terms, noting that stable contracts will improve financial security and enable staff to access loans and invest in professional development.
