Massive Applications for 650K -1.5M Jobs in West Africa ‘Ebola’ Countries. Is it Worth It?

By Jane Okoth,

Some time back an advertisement courtesy of the Ministry of Health and Public services urged Kenyan workers and doctors to volunteer in West Africa in an effort to help treat Ebola patients.

Many thought that this was mission impossible for the doctors since they would not risk their lives travelling to Ebola torn nations.

If you thought so, think again because Kenyan medical workers are applying in large numbers to work in the three West African countries hit by the deadly disease.

According to the People Daily, More than 300 doctors and nurses have so far been short-listed and are set to fly out once formalities are finalized and over 1,000 applications are pending at the Ministry of Health, according to government sources.

The paper reports that “The successful candidates are expected to enjoy an attractive remuneration package of between Sh650,000 and Sh800,000 per month for nurses and other para-medics, while doctors are being offered a monthly pay of Sh1 million to Sh1.5 million.”

The paper further reports that “Also included in the package is a life insurance cover in the range of Sh10 million and above per person. The medics have also been given a guarantee of getting their jobs back at the end of the three-month contract for those who would have not taken a unpaid leave of absence.”

Is this some form of desperation given the overwhelming applications or it is just professionalism at its best?

“I have never imagined risking my life over risking my own health and life,” says Peter Makabwa a Research Assistant at an International N.G.O.

“Our nurses and doctors are being underpaid and forced to work in deplorable conditions,” he argues.

“Why should they also not go and seek greener pastures somewhere else?” he poses.

He adds that “It is quite obvious that the deal is quite good for them without considering the Ebola infections risk”

“I am very surprised by the actual number of applications by these health workers. Have they even taken time to consider their decisions since health workers die every day due to the disease all the time because they are always at risk?” asks Simon Ndunda, a Procurement Officer at a Financial Institution.

“What if the 3months are over and they are set to return to the country. It would be putting the lives of Kenyans at risk,” he argues.

“In my opinion, this is a selfish decision because they are only thinking about the money part and the benefits but their safety and that of Kenyans is not considered at all,” he concludes.

But Cecilia Maluki, a Nurse Assistant at a private health institution is for the opinion that this is a bold move by our doctors and nurses.

“People are so quick to judge our health care professionals yet they are not taking enough time to understand them,” she says.

“Being a nurse or a doctor is a selfless profession so we have no business trying to condemn them.

I personally hail and have enormous respect for them because what they are going to do in West Africa is priceless,” she adds.

She further explains that “Apart from helping the people of West Africa, they are also saving our nation from this epidemic.

The WHO recently classified Kenya as a high risk nation in contracting the dreaded disease. If they can try and stop further infections in Liberia or guinea, they would also be doing Kenya a great favor.”

“I see a very selfish group of people who are always motivated to work for the love of money,” says Richard Otieno, a Library Assistant at a Public Primary School.

“When the government ever delays in paying their salaries, they would not hesitate to leave sick Kenyans to die in hospitals yet they are ready to risk anything just to travel to Liberia or Guinea,” he concludes.

What is your say on this? Is it really worth it for the health workers to go and work in West Africa and risk contracting Ebola?

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