- Bii said healthcare is the backbone of devolution and he would invest adequate resources and efforts to ensure residents have access to better medical services.
- He targets round-the-clock operations at most county hospitals.
Image: MATHEWS NDANYI
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has stepped up efforts to improve health services at all county hospitals in the region and pledged to not compromise on his vision.
Bii said healthcare is the backbone of devolution and he would invest adequate resources and efforts to ensure residents have access to better medical services near their homes.
He targets round-the-clock operations at most county hospitals.
The county has been on an extensive tour of health facilities in the county after he reshuffled his executives and transferred Abraham Serem from the Environment docket to Health.
Bii wants health staff to ensure county dispensaries and health centres work round the clock to serve residents.
Speaking when he officially opened Kapsaos health facility in Kapsaos ward, Turbo subcounty, the governor said the county aims to take healthcare services closer to the public to help reduce the burden of costs residents incur to seek services.
He urged the residents to make use of the county health facilities where diagnostic equipment were being installed and that drones would be used to transport samples for testing in Eldoret.
The drones have been deployed in the county under a healthcare partnership between the county and the Israel government costing more than Sh417 million.
"We are working together with ElsMed from Isreal to install diagnostic equipments in our facilities so that the residents don't travel long distances looking for services which can be received with ease near the door step," Bii said.
The governor said his government has facilitated supply of drugs directly from the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency is a specialised government to health facilities to ensure that there are enough supplies at all times.
“Those supplies must be managed and used in the required manner and I will not entertain those who may want to mess up because healthcare is essential and about the lives of our people,” Bii said.
He said Kapsaos health facility is among the newest amenities in the region, as his administration moves to emphasise on primary care for residents to get services closer and be able to detect illnesses at early stages.
The county chief also made an impromptu visit to Kapyemit health facility.
Present were county executives Sam Kotut (Water), Anthony Sitienei (Education) and chief officers Joyce Sang (Clinical Services) and Paul Wangwe (Preventive and Promotive health).
During a working tour of Kesses Subcounty Hospital, Sang said the hospital was serving an increased number of patients on a daily basis.
She said the high number of patients seeking services had prompted the department of health services to provide round-the-clock operations so as to cater for the needs of the local community day and night.
"By reviving the 24-hour services, we aim to ensure that individuals seeking medical attention will be able to access the necessary care at any time of the day,” she said, adding that students and staff of Moi University also use the same facility.