Amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of digital health equipment, unemployed technical and general health graduates are voicing concerns about the need for continuous skills development to stay relevant in the field. As modern technologies reshape healthcare delivery, these graduates are calling for initiatives to ensure that their skills remain up-to-date and adaptable to emerging trends.
Recognizing the Challenge
Led by individuals like Mucangi Kinyua, who has trained as a physiotherapist, these health technicians highlight the significant number of skilled graduates facing unemployment. Despite their qualifications, many find themselves unable to secure employment due to various factors beyond their control.
The Importance of Skills Retention
The prolonged periods of unemployment can potentially diminish the efficiency of these graduates, particularly as hospitals and training institutions adopt modern digital health equipment. Without opportunities for hands-on experience, there is a risk of skills erosion, jeopardizing their effectiveness in a rapidly advancing healthcare environment.
Advocating for Solutions
To address this challenge, the graduates propose several solutions:
- Free or Voluntary Retraining: They suggest that the government and private hospital managements offer free or voluntary retraining programs for unemployed health workers. These programs would focus on familiarizing graduates with emerging digital health equipment and ensuring their skills remain relevant.
- Inclusion in Seminars and Workshops: Unemployed graduates could be included in seminars and workshops organized by hospitals and healthcare institutions. This would provide them with opportunities to update their knowledge and gain exposure to the latest advancements in healthcare technology.
- Government Intervention: They call upon the government to intervene by introducing initiatives aimed at rescuing young and skilled health specialists. This could involve funding retraining programs or facilitating voluntary placements in healthcare settings.
Looking Ahead
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to support the professional development of unemployed health graduates. By investing in skills refreshers and creating opportunities for hands-on experience, stakeholders can ensure that these graduates remain valuable assets to the healthcare sector, equipped to contribute meaningfully to patient care and technological advancements.
