Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has asked medical staff who are unable to serve in public hospitals effectively to resign and give other health workers a chance.
He said those medical officers employed by his government but were concentrating on their private clinics were sabotaging medical services for residents and should instead quit to focus on private business.
Natembeya regretted that many cases of absenteeism and negligence by medics had been reported in county hospitals, causing residents to suffer due to poor services.
The county boss promised strict supervision of hospital staffers to report to duty and serve residents.
“I wonder why we have to have systems in place for employees to clock in and out, as if we are dealing with people who are being forced to work with us. People must be responsible enough to do their work and earn for work done,” Natembeya said.
Addressing health workers, the governor said it was immoral for some medics who are supposed to be on duty to be traced via phone whenever there are emergency cases.
“A patient is brought in critical condition and needs emergency services but those who are to be on duty go missing and have to be called via phone as the suffering patient waits. It’s simply immoral,” Natembeya said.
He said the laxity among some county staff was unacceptable.
“If you feel that what the county is offering you to serve the public is not enough, then just hand in your resignation letter so that we get someone else who will be human enough to help our people whenever they need healthcare."
Trans Nzoia county is facing a budget shortage of about Sh400 million that could affect services and implementation of projects this year.
Natembeya said the budget shortfall was a result of reduced funding from Treasury as a result of the withdrawal of the Finance
Bill 2024 by President Willam Ruto.
The governor warned his staff to desist from corruption and wastage of resources that may aggravate the financial situation in the county.
The government will allocate more funds for completion of Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital that has so far cost over Sh1 Billion.
County executive for health Sam Ojwang said the hospital ws operating well following the transfer of some services, including the maternity wing, from Kitale county referral hospital.
Ojwang is urged political leaders in the region to stop undermining Governor Natembeya's efforts to improve health services.
