The Homa Bay Health department has been directed to ensure the ICU at the county referral hospital is fully functional.
On Thursday evening, health workers at the facility said there are only two critical care nurses in the ICU instead of at least five.
Homa Bay branch Kenya Union of Clinical Officers chairman Stephen Obunga said the ICU has been operating with one doctor instead of at least four and has one clinician.
“The matter is with the government but little has been done. We’ll succeed in the fight against Covid-19 and other diseases effectively if all the issues we’re raising are addressed,” he said.
The medics raised their concerns with Governor Cyprian Awiti and his deputy Hamilton Orata when the two visited the facility on Thursday evening.
Governor Awiti directed Health executive Richard Muga to ensure the challenges faced at the hospital's ICU are addressed.
He also asked the department of finance to release funds on time whenever there is emergency.
The county chief said his administration is planning to purchase a CT scan machine so residents don't have to seek such services in the neighbouring counties.
“I want us to prioritise on service delivery to the people. We must change tack on how we work,” Awiti said
Orata called on the hospital management to always bank the money collected at the facility at the county treasury to avoid audit queries.
The deputy governor said channeling the funds to the central account will enhance accountability.
“Let’s not hear of cases where medics don’t attend to patients because they lack money to buy protective kits. The money collected here should help us buy such things,” Orata said.
Edited by A.N