- The CS lauded Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya for operationalising the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital (WKTRH).
- She pledged to support completion of the facility to offer all types of care to residents.
Image: MATHEWS NDANYI
Health CS Dr Deborah Barasa toured health facilities in Trans Nzoia and pledged to work closely with counties to improve medical services in the country.
Barasa said health services were largely devolved and hence counties were central in the success of the health sector in the country.
"I will ensure we work closely with the governors to ensure we meet our goal of ensuring Kenyans enjoy quality and affordable health services," she said.
The CS lauded Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya for operationalising the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital (WKTRH).
“This hospital is model institution in quality healthcare service to residents of Trans Nzoia and it's environs,” Barasa said.
She pledged to support completion of the facility to offer all types of care to residents.
"I'm proud of the successful story I have witnessed today during my visit at the WKTRH. I'm impressed with the governor's focused resolve towards service delivery. Be assured of our support," she said.
The CS made the remarks during a familiarisation tour of the WKTRH on Sunday.
During a meeting at the hospital, CS Barasa who is barely a month in office, gave an undertaking of the national government's commitment to support the county to have an oncology centre at the Mount Elgon hospital in Kitale town.
She lauded the leadership of the WKTRH for positive relations with staff and pledged further support to enable posting of more UHC staff who would help enhance health services in the region.
The CS later visited the maternity wing, amenity wards, oxygen plant, laundry cold room, medical stores, kitchen, CT scan room and other general wards at the hospital.
CS Barasa hailed the intern doctors for their tireless efforts that have made more Kenyans benefit from standardised quality healthcare across the country.
The CS pledged to continue forging a close-working relationship with county governments in healthcare delivery particularly on Primary Healthcare (PHC).
Speaking during the same function, Trans Nzoia Health CEC, Samson Ojwang, commended the county's good working relationship with the national government on health matters.
Ojwang expressed optimism that if supported, the county will make great strides towards provision of better healthcare.
He pleaded for the national government's support in the timely delivery of pharmaceuticals and non pharmaceuticals supplies.
Ojwang defended the relocation of services that had suffocated the smaller Kitale County Hospital (KCH).
He said the county government would be able to cooperate with the local Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in training of nurses in order to be able to address the shortage of the healthcare workers.
Health chief officer Dr Judith Simiyu said that quality of health care services in the department can be realised if the current shortage of 900 nurses is addressed.
Present at the event were county chief of staff, Dickson Wamocho, the hospital medical superintendent of Health Dr Anthony Wamalwa, hospital Administrator, Rispa Konzollo and the Primary Health care Coordinator, Dr Zaituni Mulaa.