Unemployed nurses in Kenya are to be offered work in health services across the UK, as part of a new arrangement between the two nations' governments.
The deal, backed by Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, will see nurses and health workers in the African country currently without jobs given a “special route” to work in the UK for a fixed period.
Further details on the scheme are set to be confirmed in the next few months, but ministers said both countries would benefit from the arrangement through the sharing of experience and knowledge across health services.
The latest collaboration between Kenya and the UK Government comes through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday.
Sajid Javid
Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our healthcare agreement will make the most of UK and Kenyan health expertise which will be beneficial to both countries, with the exchange of knowledge and training which will provide first class healthcare.”
He added that the UK’s relationship with Kenya had been strengthened by “working closely” during the pandemic and by sharing UK vaccine doses. Meanwhile, Jane Marriott, the British high commissioner to Kenya, said: “Our health partnership with Kenya is 30 years old and growing stronger by the month.
“This new agreement on health workers allows us to share skills and expertise even further, and is a fantastic opportunity for Kenyans to work in the UK.”
Mr Javid and Kenya’s cabinet secretary for labour cooperation, Simon Chelugui, signed the recruitment agreement during a meeting in London. By MEGAN FORD, Nursing Times
