By Grace Gilo
The Ministry of Health has uncovered a serious breach of regulations involving the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and ten public and private universities. These institutions unlawfully submitted 42 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Nursing students for internship placements before they had completed their academic programs.
This action is in direct contravention of the Nursing Council Act and the guidelines approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Consequently, the Ministry has revoked all internship letters issued to the affected 42 students with immediate effect.
“These individuals have been immediately instructed to vacate their duty stations as investigations commence,” stated the Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale.
To further address the situation, the Ministry has suspended Dr. Lister Onsongo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing Council of Kenya. His suspension is pending the results of a comprehensive internal audit that will examine the entire cohort of 2,098 BSc Nursing interns.
In a proactive measure, Health CS Duale has appointed Ms. Ann Mukuna, Director Standards and Compliance, to take over the operations of the Council until further notice.
The Ministry of Health emphasized its unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of healthcare training and deployment.
“Individuals found culpable, whether at the Ministry of Health, the NCK or within the leadership of the implicated universities, will be held fully accountable,” the Health CS cautioned.
This matter is being treated with the utmost urgency as the Ministry aims to safeguard professional standards, ensure compliance with statutory requirements, and protect the rights of nursing graduates and the public.