Doctors raise concern over equipment, staff shortage
What you need to know:
- Mr Ojaamong said the fact that he allocated the lion’s share of Sh1.2 billion out of the sh5.5billion of the county budget to the health sector was a confirmation that his administration was keen to improve the health sector.
- Busia Executive member for health Maurice Siminyu who retired as surgeon said the county was seeking to work with both local and international donors to set up intensive care unit and high dependence unit to make Busia level five hospitals a fully fledged referral hospital.
Doctors in Busia have raised concern over shortage of staff and equipment in the county’s hospitals.
The medical workers said the situation, which had taken long to be addressed, was affecting service delivery.
Dr Godrick Onyango, a consultant surgeon, said there were many cases in the region that needed specialised attention but lack of professionals to handle them denied patients the opportunity.
SERVICE DELIVERY
Speaking at a Busia hotel, Dr Onyango added that the hospitals lacked equipment with only one machine at a sub-county health institution with five anaestheticians in the entire county.
“The county government needs to increase theatre space and equipment to improve service delivery,” he said.
During a two-day medical camp, a total of 75 people were operated on at Busia County Referral Hospital, Alupe hospital undertook 62 operations with Port Victoria and Kocholia hospitals handling 33 and 30 operations respectively.
Dr Kirsten Awori said there were no neurosurgeons at the camp because they were few, with the country having less than 10.
Governor Sospeter Ojaamong assured the doctors that he was committed to make the county a medical tourism centre in East and Central Africa.
Mr Ojaamong said the fact that he allocated the lion’s share of Sh1.2 billion out of the sh5.5billion of the county budget to the health sector was a confirmation that his administration was keen to improve the health sector.
Busia Executive member for health Maurice Siminyu who retired as surgeon said the county was seeking to work with both local and international donors to set up intensive care unit and high dependence unit to make Busia level five hospitals a fully fledged referral hospital.
According to the document which gave account of each health institution in all the 35 wards in the county, some health centres like lupida health centre lack infrastructure forcing male patients to share wards with their female counterparts while at Malanga dispensary in Bukhayo central ward patients are forced to answer calls of nature in the nearby bushes because there are no toilets.
