Debts cripple health services at Vihiga hospital, says Health Executive Silas Kipkemboi

Kenya National Union of Nurses, Vihiga Branch Chairperson Zadock Miheso (seated right) and Secretary Caleb Maloba (left), flanked by other officials, address the Press at Mbale Rural Health Centre. [PHOTO: ERIC LUNGAI/STANDARD]

Services at the Vihiga Hospital have stalled after electricity was disconnected over debts amounting to Sh1.2 million.

The electricity was disconnected on Friday, posing a major risk to patients as the laboratory and theatre were adversely affected.

Addressing the Press at the hospital yesterday, Health Executive Silas Kipkemboi said the county government inherited the debts and was now working towards settling them.

“We are aware the hospital has debts and we are working towards settling them for improved service delivery,” he said.

Patients were over the weekend greatly affected, especially those who had been confined to beds in the wards, as relatives were forced to bring alternative sources of light such as torches for use at night.

The hospital also has a water bill debt of over Sh1.2 million, which has resulted in frequent disconnections by the water supply company.

The hospital’s woes are far from over as nurses threatened to down their tools starting today over the collective bargaining agreement that was yet to be signed by the county government.

SOLVE ISSUES

Kenya National Union of Nurses, Vihiga Branch Secretary Caleb Maloba, accused Mr Kipkemboi of meddling in health matters by making uninformed appointments that were slowly crippling the sector.

However, the assembly’s Health Committee Chairman, Noah Mmbwanga, said the county was doing its best to streamline the health sector, adding that matters raised by the nurses would be looked into.

“We admit there are a few challenges facing the county’s health sector but we are looking into ways of solving them,” he said.