Devolution has helped enhance access to health care in Uasin Gishu County.
According to County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Dr. Eveline Rotich, since the inception of the devolved system of governance in the country, they have been able to improve health facilities as well as construct more.
“We have supported the government agenda of Universal Health Care (UHC) through infrastructure development for health facilities to enable people to get services closer to them,” said Dr. Rotich.
Currently, Uasin Gishu has 127 health facilities – from dispensaries to Sub County Hospitals.
The county also has 2 maternity units – the 40-bed Kapteldon which is developed and complete with a theatre as well as the West Maternity Hospital whose constructions works have been completed.
“Soon the West Maternity will be opened. We are equipping it with a theatre which was not there,” noted the Uasin Gishu Health Services County Executive.
Burnt Forest and Turbo Sub County Hospitals already have fully equipped theaters that are able to handle surgeries.
Plans are also underway to improve the Huruma Hospital reference laboratory that is currently being used for Covid-19 testing. The facility also has an Eye Unit with a capacity to handle eye-related surgeries.
And as a way of improving access to healthcare services within the county, Dr. Rotich says they recently increased the number of health facilities offering 24 hours services to at least 36.
“When dispensaries are closed, people don’t have to travel far. Within 2 or three facilities, we have made sure that at least one operates for 24 hours,” noted the CECM.
The County Government of Uasin Gishu also has 16 ambulances that are used to make sure it is easier for patients needing to be referred to other facilities for emergency services to get the service as fast as possible.
In a recent visit to the Uasin Gishu District Hospital in Eldoret town, Governor Jackson Mandago said they have been able to improve health services across the county.
He, however, said the situation would have been even better if the Ministry of Health releases over Ksh150 billion that is still holding on to.
The funds, Mandago notes, are for devolved functions for the health sector.
“There are many things that are retaining money in the ministry when they are to be handled by counties and enable more money to come to help us improve services,” noted the County boss.
