Lamu leaders decry poor health services

A group of leaders from Lamu County has blamed the county government over ‘deplorable health services’ at Faza sub-county hospital.

At a press conference in Mombasa Friday the leaders led by Mr Shekue Kahale accused the county government of allegedly failing to curb miserable health situation at the facility in Lamu East Constituency.

“We have been advocating for improvement of equipment and medical amenities but nothing has been done. We have had high hopes of devolution of health services; unfortunately nothing has been done,” he added.

Mr Kahale who contested Lamu East Constituency parliamentary seat in 2013 General Election on Nation Vision Party ticket and lost it claimed that the theatre at the Faza sub-county hospital has not been operational for years since it was installed during the rebuilding of Faza village after the 2009 fire disaster.

Another resident, Mr Obbo Mohammed said expectant mothers with delivery complications have endured untold suffering being ferried to King Fahad district hospital on Lamu Island by boats amid risk of losing their own lives and that of unborn.

“We urged the county government to consider looking for urgent measures to address the wanting situation at the Faza sub-county hospital which provide services to nearly 30,000 people on the entire Lamu East constituency,” said Mr Mohammed.

In a quick rejoinder, Lamu deputy governor Eric Mugo dismissed the leader’s claim saying the county has done tremendous efforts to improve the health services within Lamu East.

SH50 MILLION

“We accept positive criticism but we are saying to those who are criticizing our leadership to be realistic and factual. When we took over the situation was grim but today a lot of things have been put in place not only at Faza sub-district hospital but across the county.” Mr Mugo said.

The deputy governor told Nation on phone that they have agreed to allocate Sh50 million to Faza sub-county hospital out of Sh200 million that President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed to be released to the county to improve its health care.

“We are also in final stage of hiring 60 consultants including surgeons, gynaecologists, among others and priority will be given to Faza hospital. In addition the county is also purchasing a mobile marine clinic that will move around all villages in Lamu East to attend to people,” said Mr Mugo.

Recently, Governor Issa Timamy said that they are considering hiring expatriates from India because Kenyans have shown no interest in working in Lamu County.

Timamy said they have on numerous occasions advertised for the positions of a surgeon, gynaecologist but not even a single application has been received and the people continue to suffer since there is not a single surgeon in the county and Mpeketoni sub-county hospital does not have a gynaecologist.

“We want to consult the national government and see if it is possible to bring medical experts from outside the country since our own people don’t want to work in Lamu,” he remarked.

Timamy said they have boosted the referral system by purchasing three ambulances, one boat ambulance plus another ambulance donated from Dubai.

“To boost medical services we have also ordered for an X-ray machine, bought new beds for Faza sub-county hospital while we have also received medical donations worth Sh250 million from well wishers,” he said.