Meru to install leased medical equipment in two hospitals

Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya responds to questions from senators when he appeared before the Senate’s finance committee on April 12, 2016. The Meru governor has finally agreed to install the medical equipment in two hospitals, Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital and Nyambene Level Four Hospital. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • A delegation of Health ministry officials met with the Governor Peter Munya in Meru town where they persuaded him to accept the deal.
  • Managed Equipment Service Programme chairman Morang’a Morekwe said the equipment will be ready for use in the next three months.

  • Munya asked other counties to embrace dialogue and find long-term solutions so that Kenyans can benefit from improved health care facilities.

Defiant Meru Governor Peter Munya has finally agreed to install the leased medical equipment in two hospitals, ending a long-standing feud with the national government.

The medical equipment will be installed at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital and Nyambene Level Four Hospital.

Last week, a delegation of Health ministry officials met with the county boss in Meru town where they persuaded him to accept the medical equipment deal. 

Earlier, the Meru County Health Executive William Muraah had engaged the delegates in a bitter exchange arguing that the referral hospital already had similar equipment.

Dr Muraah was against the installation of equipment at the dialysis unit since the county had recently bought new ones.

However, after several hours of consultation, the teams agreed to install the dialysis units elsewhere.

Managed Equipment Service Programme chairman Morang’a Morekwe said the equipment will be ready for use in the next three months.

“After lengthy discussions, we settled on the two hospitals which will be of help to the community,” said Mr Morekwe.

Governor Munya asked other counties facing similar hitches to embrace dialogue and find long-term solutions so that Kenyans can benefit from improved health care facilities.

“The lease is a long-term relationship and having all parties on board it will make the project proceed with ease,” said Mr Munya.

Earlier, Senator Kiraitu Murungi and a section of MPs had accused the county boss of blocking the programme.

Initially, governors had questioned whether the Sh38 billion innovative equipment leasing and service arrangement was above board and gave value for money.

The county bosses protested that the project managed by the Ministry of Health was a move aimed at trying to hijack health care functions that constitutionally belong to devolved governments.