Ministry seeks labour mobility for clinical officers in the UK

JULIUS NDEGWA-PCO

Kenya is exploring the expansion of the existing Bilateral Labour Agreement with the United Kingdom to include clinical officers and physician associates.

According to the Principal Secretary State Department for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime, this will not only respond to global demand for healthcare workers but also safeguard professional recognition and mobility through formal and sustainable arrangements.

“On recognition and licencing of Kenya Clinical Officers by the UK’s General Medical Council(GMC), we support this transformative development and commit to advocate for the formal inclusion of Clinical Officers from Kenya in regulated migration frameworks and employment streams in the UK and other partner nations” he said.

The Principal Secretary revealed this when he addressed an international gathering of the 5th Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates (GACOPA) held at Aston University in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The conference, which has drawn delegates from 74 member States of GACOPA from across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, seeks to strengthen professional identity, enhance skills recognition, and firmly position healthcare workers at the heart of global health solutions.

Mr. Mwadime, revealed that currently the government of Kenya is implementing a Bilateral Labour Agreement with the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in a collaboration framework which has established a structured pathway for migration that benefits both countries while safeguarding the rights and professional development of Kenyan workers.

Mr Mwadime emphasized in Birmingham that the move to include Clinical officers in future BLAs would enable the cadre to contribute internationally while gaining professional recognition and supporting healthcare systems at home.

“We strongly advocate for the principle of circular labour mobility, which allows our professionals to serve abroad, acquire advanced skills and international experience, and subsequently return home to reinvest this expertise in strengthening our very own health systems,” he said.

“Through such collaborations, we can promote the international recognition of our health workforce, harmonize standards of training and practice, and contribute to more resilient health systems worldwide. Kenya stands ready to work with all stakeholders to build a united front in addressing the urgent needs of the global health workforce," he said.