In a landmark move, the Parliament of Kenya has formally adopted the report of the 4th Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates (GACOPA) International Delegates Conference held in Gaborone, Botswana from August 26 to 29, 2024.

The adoption was led by the Departmental Committee on Health, chaired by Hon. Dr. James Nyikal, MP. The report recognizes the pivotal role of clinical officers and physician associates in driving primary healthcare and advancing Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

During the conference, Kenyan delegates showcased the country’s progress in regulating the cadre, including the establishment of a career progression guideline and advanced training frameworks. The report underscores the need to harmonize training curricula, scopes of practice, and global recognition of the cadre’s contributions to health systems.

The Committee recommended policy actions to strengthen skills-based training, support specialist education, improve data systems for health workforce planning, and enhance collaboration with universities on research translation.

They also emphasized the need for Kenya to contribute to global harmonization efforts around clinical officers and PAs.

This adoption positions Kenya as a leading voice in the global discourse on health workforce transformation and solidifies its commitment to empowering frontline health professionals.

The team will attend the 5th GACOPA international delegates conference where the Legislative Health Forum will form the highlight of the 4 day event at the Aston University in Birmingham, UK on August 27-30