Uasin Gishu District hospital embroiled in land tussle with private developer

BY MICHAEL OLLINGA

Eldoret, Kenya: The potential to expand Uasin Gishu District Hospital and enhance healthcare service provision to the public has not been exhaustively exploited due to a legal suit surrounding the ownership of the land within which its premises stand.

The hospital was expected to be elevated to county referral hospital level when devolved government units came into place but the area leadership is hesitant, saying the decision to develop the facility lies on the determination of the pending legal suit.

Area County Executive Committee (CEC) member in charge of Health Dr Eunice Sirian disclosed that the matter was filed in court after it was discovered the title deed of the land within which the hospital premises are situated belongs to a private developer.

“We are doing our best to equip the hospital and improve service delivery to the residents but developing more infrastructures is a matter that needs discussion in line with the ownership suit,” she explained.

Nonetheless, Sirian said that the county will continue equipping the facility which serves an ever increasing population from the vast Uasin Gishu with modern equipment to boost healthcare services.

“We want to purchase modern equipment that will improve the nature of services we offer to the public and also reduce congestion at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) by handling mild referral cases,” she said.

She further disclosed that the county will be automating most of the transactions at the facility to speed the time taken to serve the clients and end the displeasing trend of long stagnant queues.

Speaking during the marking of the World Tuberculosis day at the facility, Sirian urged the public to join the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) scheme which will help them access healthcare in a more affordable way.

Meanwhile, reprieve sounds ripe for the land ownership battle as Deputy President William Ruto while on a recent tour to the region said that MTRH will be left for the county as the government intend to build a modern national referral centre in the area.

Ruto revealed that the government is in the process of acquiring 200 acres piece of land near the Eldoret Airstrip where the modern multi-billion facility will be constructed.