Medical kit experts to be flown in

The national government is set to hire specialists from outside the country to operate the Sh38 billion medical equipment leased to counties.

Addressing journalists at the Kisumu State Lodge on Sunday, State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu assured governors that all the machines will be up and running.

He told the county bosses that experts to handle the machines will be hired from outside the country, with some Kenyans being sent abroad for training.

Governors have in the past cited the shortage of qualified personnel to operate the equipment sent to the regions to improve the provision of health care.

“We are working on having our specialists trained outside the country. We want people to be trained adequately for the equipment we have,” Mr Esipisu said.

“Problems arise when the right personnel to handle the machines are missing,” he added.

Some governors reluctantly signed the Sh38 billion medical equipment leasing deal because of lack of qualified staff to operate the machines.

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma on Monday said efforts to ensure adequate personnel to operate the equipment are welcome considering that most of the machines handed to counties are currently lying in stores.

He said there are no specialists to ensure the equipment benefits patients in the region.

“Most counties, Kisumu included, are planning to share specialists for the benefit of patients. Some did not even have the rooms in which to install the machines. They are now constructing them,” Mr Ranguma said.

He said most of the doctors in the devolved units lack the capacity to handle the machines.

“The medical equipment are a waste. They remain in stores,” he said.

Mr Esipisu acknowledged that the implementation of the programme was facing the challenge of getting the right personnel at the right levels.

He added that the government is out to raise capacity, which remains a priority.