UK seeks to incorporate clinical officers in Kenya's work accord negotiations
In a significant move towards harmonizing training standards and promoting international recognition, Kenyan officials are pushing for the formal inclusion of Clinical Officers from Kenya in regulated migration frameworks and employment streams in partner nations, such as the United Kingdom.
This initiative comes at a critical time, as the World Health Organization projects a global shortfall of 10 million health workers by 2030. Africa, in particular, is expected to be hardest hit by this shortage.
Shadrack Mwadime, the Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development in Kenya, is at the forefront of this advocacy. Mwadime spoke at the 5th Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates (GACOPA) conference held at Aston University in Birmingham, UK, in August 2025.
The conference, attended by Aston University Vice Chancellor Prof. Aleks Subic, Kenyan MP and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Health Committee Hon. Patrick Munene, Kenya Clinical Officers Association Chairman Peterson Wachira, and GACOPA Global President Austin Oduor, among others, aimed to discuss strengthening professional identity, skills recognition, and positioning healthcare workers at the center of global health solutions.
Mwadime emphasized the need for joint action across borders to address global health challenges. He stated that Kenya is ready to work with all stakeholders to build a united front in addressing the urgent needs of the global health workforce.
One of the key initiatives being explored is the expansion of the Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA) between Kenya and the United Kingdom. This expansion would include clinical officers and physician associates, opening doors for these professionals to work abroad and gain advanced skills and exposure, before returning to reinvest their expertise in Kenya's health system.
The government of Kenya is keen to align migration pathways with the growing international demand for healthcare professionals. Mwadime supports the recognition and licensing of Kenya Clinical Officers by the UK's General Medical Council (GMC).
The principle of "circular labour mobility" is being advocated as a framework that allows professionals to serve abroad, gain advanced skills and exposure, and later return home to reinvest their expertise in Kenya's health system. This principle aligns with the structured BLA that Kenya is currently implementing with the United Kingdom, designed to provide pathways for Kenyan nurses to work abroad while ensuring their welfare and professional growth.
As discussions continue throughout 2025, no fixed date for the formal expansion of the BLA has been announced yet. However, the commitment and advocacy from Kenyan officials indicate a strong push towards addressing the global health worker shortage and positioning Kenya's clinical officers and physician associates at the forefront of global health solutions.
