GOVERNMENT TO ABSORB 7,414 UHC STAFF INTO PUBLIC SERVICE STARTING SEPTEMBER 2025

The government will begin integrating 7,414 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into the public service starting in September 2025, Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has announced. In a statement released on Monday August 25, 2025, Duale said the decision follows the completion of a nationwide staff verification exercise conducted jointly by the State Department for Medical Services and the Council of Governors (COG). Of the 7,629 UHC staff verified, 215 failed to present themselves and have been classified as either ghost workers or unqualified health professionals.

“As a result, the salaries of these 215 individuals have been stopped, and they have been removed from the government payroll,” said Duale. He added that investigations are underway to recover any irregular payments that may have been made to them.

The remaining 7,414 verified staff will be categorized into two groups: those in active service and those facing disciplinary actions. “Staff currently in active service will be formally absorbed into the public service beginning September 2025,” Duale said. “However, staff facing disciplinary issues or those absent from duty will only be considered for absorption after their cases are reviewed in accordance with the Public Service Commission (PSC) Human Resource Regulations of 2020.”

He stressed that such reviews will be conducted in consultation with the PSC and could result in dismissal, removal from the payroll, or other disciplinary measures as provided by law. Duale reaffirmed that the Ministry of Health, working with the COG, PSC, and other stakeholders, is committed to ensuring the integration process is transparent, fair, and accountable. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the health workforce as a key pillar in the successful delivery of Universal Health Coverage, ensuring all citizens have equitable access to quality healthcare.

The upcoming absorption is a major milestone in institutionalising UHC and addressing long-standing concerns over job security among frontline health workers.