DEPUTY GOVERNOR ASKS CECM FOR HEALTH TO INVESTIGATE HEALTH CRISIS IN SOME OF THE HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTY

Deputy Governor H.E Prof Philip Kutima has asked the County’s Department of Health Services to investigate claims that some hospitals in the County lack essential drugs.

Speaking during the funeral service of Mr Enosh Lugonzo, a member of the County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) in Munyuki village, Lumakanda in Lugari Sub County, the Deputy Governor asked the CECM for Health Services Dr Collins Matemba to visit the affected hospitals to ascertain and address the problem.

“We allocate a lot of resources to the health sector to ensure our people get quality health services. We have few people in our hospitals who are causing a crisis in our hospitals for their personal interests and gains,” said H.E Prof Kutima.

He said it is regrettable that some of the health workers have their personal pharmacies next to the public hospitals where they refer patients to buy drugs.

He was responding to residents who claimed that they are forced to buy drugs and other medical stuffs whenever they seek health services at Lumakanda County Hospital.

He said all hospitals in the County receive medical supplies from the County Government regretting that some health workers sell the supplies to private health facilities.

“All health workers in charge of our health facilities will have to account for all drugs and other medical supplies we supply to hospitals they are in charge,” he said.

He noted that the County Government will conduct changes in management of some of the hospitals as one way of addressing the challenges in the hospitals.

“Dispensaries and health centers have drugs but it is surprising that some of the level 4 hospitals lack drugs. This is a crisis being created by some individuals in these hospitals. We must act immediately,” the Deputy Governor said.

In his speech read by H.E Prof Kutima, the Governor H.E Dr Wycliffe Oparanya described the late Mr Lugonzo as a cheerful and sober minded person who articulated the needs and interests of the people he represented.

“I have lost a friend and confidant who made immense contribution towards the County Budget process and overall economic growth of our County,” said Governor Oparanya.

Lumakanda MCA Hon Leila Muhandale, senior officers from both the National and County Government were present.