Kenya Vows to Block Medical Professionals from Moving to the US for Work
The government has vowed to block Kenyan medical practitioners from moving to the United States amid the coronavirus epidemic.
This comes a day after the US government, through the Department of State, Consular Affairs urged foreign medical professionals willing to work in the US to seek visa appointments with their embassies.
"We encourage medical professionals with an approved U.S. non-immigrant or immigrant visa petition (I-129, I-140, or similar) or a certificate of eligibility in an approved exchange visitor programme (DS-2019), particularly those working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID-19, to review the website of their nearest embassy or consulate for procedures to request a visa appointment,” read a statement posted on the Department’s website and social media pages.
It added: "For those foreign medical professionals already in the United States, J-1 Alien Physicians (medical residents) may consult with their programme sponsor, ECFMG, to extend their programmes in the United States. Generally, a J-1 program for a foreign medical resident can be extended one year at a time for up to seven years".
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said Kenyan medics would only be allowed to go to the US through a government to government initiative and not through individual arrangements. "We will not release any of our doctors and as a matter of fact, we have recalled those on leave to enhance our capacity. This is an international issue and no one is superior or inferior," said Kagwe.
So far the US has confirmed 93,329 cases of coronavirus, the highest globally ahead of Italy (86,489) and China (81,340). 1,384 people have died of the virus in the US.
Comments (24)
The Kenyan government can import Cuban doctors.
Kenyan doctors and nurses are going to fight corona in America.
BYE BYE BITCHESSSS!!!
Mtajua Hamjui..
Ujinga kama wako hauna dawa ngombe hii
Wacha wivu.
Kenyan doctors deserve to work in hospitals with medicine where they are well paid to do their job.
Kenyan doctors will be appreciated and make much more money in the US.
Kenyan government needs to stop being jealous.
This is not the time!!! Let the stable genius (Trump) recruit his own people into the medical field. Kenya needs to keep it's own. We are the Ass Hole nation after all.
USA is currently leading in terms coronavirus case in the World and those Kenyan doctors should think twice. Might jump from frying pan to the fire. Just saying.
Let them go and get $$$. Uhuru will bring us cuban doctors
The US System does not recognize professional qualifications from Kenya. I think that there is a misunderstanding about what the State Department is announcing. Read the details, and know more about the Visa Classifications, before commenting. The US only recognizes its Own. Even if you were trained in Kenya, you have to pass an American Exam, before you are allowed to practice in America. I don't think that they are asking for any Medical Professional who wants to practice in the US, to go there, as Mutahi Kagwe seems to think. They are asking for those who have already passed US requirements to practice in the US, to apply.
But they are desperate. Desperation leading to relaxing of rules. These are not normal times.
Don't assume anything @Sukuma. Read carefully the details of the Visa requirements that they have announced. They have not put the details in the announcement. If you actually go through the details, you will realize that they are fast tracking the System, not doing away with it.
US does not relax it's rules. You must be qualified to work in US whether during a pandemic or not.You come here with your Kenyan PHd and you will clean toilets like others.
...when America first hit the wall, the economy went south, jobs were lost, PPEs were scarce and the pndemic2020 was at it's peak, America chose to break the wall and let the "worst" into their country to take frontline bullets hurled by the deadly virus. At the same time, unstoppable reggae was halted with screeching brakes..... Usijipige kifua, dunia ni Duala..
When push comes to shove it does not matter what they recognise, mare experience in medical field may get you busy if you so wish and train along,!!!
Jealous detected...why would somebody think Kenyan education is not up to standard ...some of us have been creditialized by international bodies our education matches US Standards . If you graduated from river road just like most corrupt Kenyans do. Pole Sana wacha wivu
True Normad..people are misinterpreting this whole thing
No Medic will be let to practice in the U.S without passing and registering with the necessary nursing bodies. Meaning even if you are registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya, you will still be required to pass U.S. exams. Its a process not one day thing! So guys kaeni nyumbani..after this pandemic, try the process!!
go where you make money. MAFI YA KUKU government led by the drunk has let down kenyans..
We are aliens in North America because of the making of our Poor governance and leadership. I wished I could get an education and go back to serve my country, I don’t regret becoming a citizen of Trump country. I can visit home and come back to the USA. The world now is cosmopolitan, Kenya should offer health care workers a decent wage or else ... the brains will sold to the highest bidder. My 1 cent ..
Yes u can stop them by paying them like stupids mpigs salaries,bodyguards n trust me nobody will ever think of going to the west to b a slave ya mamorgage ya 30 years,bills zenye haziishangi,buying a house which will will never sleep at juu ya matripples na madoubles??So pay them right n they won't chose that slaverly life ya diaspora
Block! That is a very mature strategy-not! If covid19 was not exportable how much of govt would be in Kenya seeking care. Laws of supply and demand. Compete for them by paying competitively for their skills or accept and move on. Useless govt full of most selfish humans.
Just like most immigrants get killed in the line of duty when they join the army.Any right thinking well trained medic is not an idiot.What good will the money do if they are not alive to spend it.Not all that glitters is gold Trump can hold onto the American dollar until after corona.
@Guest
COVID-19 is global. Let health care practitioners be free to work where they are appreciated.
It can still get you while you are having the peanuts here and it can also get you when you are getting the $ out there. As long as they give their best and be passionate about the care; Let the people decide.
US embassy is closed, how will they get visas, plus let them get ready for racism where patients will refuse to get treated by African doctors.
Uhuru needs not to worry, the "qualifications" of Kenya doctors will filter them out. In kenya you earn a bachelor's degree or sometimes have now and you not only wear a lab coat but also assume the title doc.
Who told you KENYAN Drs(COs) are approved in the USA?. The RN (Nurses) are the top notch....