Trans Nzoia County government has recruited 192 more nurses to enhance healthcare services delivery.

Speaking as he handed over employment letters to the 192 new nurses at the county headquarters, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said the move is part of broader efforts being undertaken by his regime to ensure effective healthcare service delivery.

Natembeya rallied the county staff to ensure high standards of professionalism and warned against engagement in activities that would compromise service delivery. He cited creation of fake pay bills to extort money from the public as one of them.

He maintained that the nursing profession is about service to humanity rather than personal gain and urged healthcare providers to handle patients with compassion and humility.

Promising to employ the recruited nurses on permanent and pensionable terms once their one-year contract elapses, Natembeya said the county government will only do so to those who would have exhibited high ethical standards and professionalism.

“I will sit down with the relevant committee once time comes, with an aim of ensuring the terms are improved from contract to permanent and pensionable,” he said.

Echoing the governor’s pledge County Executive Committee Member for Health Christopher Loriot called for commitment of the nurses and reminded them that the county counts on them to improve healthcare.

Meanwhile, Chair of County Assembly Health Committee Sarah Lubano raised concern over cases of financial misconduct involving some medical staff at Tom Mboya Hospital.

She appealed to the newly recruited nurses to treat their work as a calling, noting that they have been brought in to help address the shortage of medical personnel in county hospitals. “You are coming in to help fill the shortage of nurses. Do not prioritise money,” she said.

The recruitment of the 192 nurses is expected to significantly boost healthcare delivery in Trans Nzoia County as the government moves to strengthen staffing in public hospitals.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Isaiah Nayika and Winnie Jelagat