Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Kenya (Ratification: 1990)

Articles 2(2) and 3(1) of the Convention. National policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel. Nursing education and training. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that nursing in Kenya was undergoing transformation, with the sector being reformed to align itself with the Constitution. The Committee noted the Government’s reference to the Nursing Strategic Direction towards Vision 2030, which aimed to: reorganize the Scheme of Service for Nurses, mainstream processes for improved quality of nursing services; and introduce new programmes. The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the implementation of these large-scale reforms and their impact, particularly in relation to the quality of nursing care. The Government reports that nursing in the country has undergone extensive transformation during the reporting period. It adds that the Scheme of Service for nursing personnel, established in 2015, is due for review, indicating that a Directorate in nursing was established with the support of the Scheme. With respect to measures to promote the retention of nurses, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the promotion of nurses is being carried out using the current Scheme of Service, and there has been an increase in allowances. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that nurses are being trained on process, resulting in improved collaboration with other health workers and better patient care. The availability of specialized care has been increased through nurses who have completed the requisite courses. In addition, mobile clinics have enabled nurses and midwives to provide comprehensive care in communities, reducing healthcare disparities. The Government refers to the “Big Four” plan announced in December 2017, which will guide the development agenda of the country in the period 2018–22, and includes Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The Committee notes with interest the launch of Kenya’s Nursing Now campaign in 2018, which seeks to strengthen leadership in nursing as a central principle as well as to achieve UHC. The Government indicates that compiling data on the overseas migration of nurses remains a challenge given that many nurses migrate for other purposes, but start working overseas. Moreover, few nurses request a license from the national regulatory body before migrating. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on measures taken or envisaged to promote the retention of nursing personnel and to provide information on the impact of new programmes to improve working conditions of nursing personnel and the quality of nursing care, including on the impact of the Nursing Now campaign. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information, including disaggregated statistical data concerning trends in the overseas migration of nurses and information on the impact of measures taken to address this issue. With respect to nursing education and training, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide updated information on the activities of the Nursing Council of Kenya, including the accreditation of nursing education providers, and the issuance of private practice licenses to nurses. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the number of students who graduate from nursing colleges annually and the number of institutions offering nursing education and training, on the organization of nursing studies (requirements for entry, levels of education, duration), and the manner in which nursing education and training is monitored and supervised by the public authorities.

Article 5(2). Determination of conditions of employment and work. The Government indicates that, although the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has concluded collective bargaining agreements with various private nursing institutions, it has not yet concluded a collective agreement to improve the terms and conditions of employment for nurses employed by country governments. The Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide a copy of the collective bargaining agreement between the KNUN and the Government once it has been concluded. In addition, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide copies of the collective bargaining agreements in force between the Government and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers that contain provisions on the employment conditions of nursing personnel.

Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information, disaggregated by age, sex and region, concerning the situation of nursing personnel in the country, including the number of practicing nurses registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya, the nurse-population ratio, the number of nursing personnel broken down by those working at public and private healthcare establishments, and the number of those who leave the profession each year and copies of any recent reports or studies addressing nursing-related issues.