- Barasa said health services were largely devolved and hence counties were central in the success of the health sector.
- She lauded Governor Natembeya for operationalising the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Trans Nzoia county faces a shortage of more than 900 nurses in all its hospitals, a gap adversely affecting services.
The county chief officer for health Judith Simiyu said quality of healthcare services will improve once the county gets resources to hire an adequate number of nurses and other staff.
She said it was the desire of Governor George Natemebeya’s administration to offer quality, accessible and affordable health services to residents.
“The governor is working hard to provide the necessary infrastructure for healthcare. If we can get the required number of personnel especially nurses, we will achieve greater success,” Simiyu said.
She spoke after Health CS Deborah Barasa toured health facilities in the county. The CS pledged to work closely with the devolved units to improve medical services.
Barasa said health services were largely devolved and hence counties were central in the success of the health sector.
“I will ensure we work closely with the governors to meet our goal of ensuring Kenyans enjoy quality and affordable health services,” the CS said.
She lauded Governor Natembeya for operationalising the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital.
“This hospital is a model institution in quality healthcare services 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 am proud of the successful story I have witnessed today during my visit at the WKTRH. I am 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 boardroom, the CS who is barely one month in office, gave an undertaking of the national government's commitment to support the county have an oncology Centre at the Mount Elgon Hospital in Kitale town.
She also commended the leadership of the WKTRH for positive relations with staff. She pledged further support to enable posting of more UHC staff who would help enhance health services.
The CS later visited the maternity wing , amenity wards, oxygen plant, laundry cold room, medical stores, kitchen, CT SCAN and other general wards at the hospital.
Dr Barasa hailed the intern doctors for their tireless efforts that have made more Kenyans benefit from standardised quality healthcare across the country.
She pledged to continue forging a close-working relationship with county governments in healthcare delivery particularly on Primary Healthcare.
Trans Nzoia health executive Samson Ojwang commended the good working relationship with the national government on health.
Ojwang expressed optimism that if supported, the county will make great strides towards provision of better healthcare.
He called for the national government's support in timely delivery of pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals.
He defended the relocation of services that had suffocated the smaller Kitale County Hospital.
He said the county government would cooperate with the local Kenya Medical Training College in training of nurses to address the healthcare workers shortage.
Present at the event were; the County Chief of Staff Dickson Wamocho, the hospital medical superintendent of Health Dr Anthony Wamalwa, hospital administrator Rispa Konzollo and the primary healthcare coordinator Dr Zaituni Mulaa.