Since devolution of health function in 2013 there have been over one hundred (100) strike notices in the health sector across different counties. The strikes have been termed as ‘perennial’ due to their recurrent nature.

The perennial health service disruptions have exposed numerous gaps and challenges in health sector and denied Kenyans their right to highest attainable standards of health as envisioned under article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya.

I believe that we can still reform the sector and set it on the path to realization of affordable, accessible and quality health for all Kenyans irrespective of social or economic standing. However, addressing the question of what ails health sector is central to its reforms.

After analyzing the numerous strike notices issued in the past 7 years of devolution, we have found that most issues (about 98%) rotate around ineffective human resource management.

Most reasons for strikes have been promotions, delayed salaries, non-remittance of statutory and third party deductions, unimplemented agreements, employment terms and conditions among others.

The biggest threat to achievement of UHC agenda in our country is the ineffective management of health human resources which is the disease that presents with symptoms with like strikes, go slows, brain drain, demotivated staff etc.

The biggest problem has been focusing in remedying the symptoms instead of curing the disease with the results being strained employee-employer relationship, broken social dialogue and regular service interruptions.