'Low funding to hospital will hamper service'

From left Embu Health Executive Member Pauline Njagi, Women Representative Rose Mitaru and Governor Martin Wambora display medical drugs for dispensation to patients during a free medical camp in Kiriari primary school, Embu North sub-county on Saturday. Leaders called for review of the newly gazette NHIF Act. PHOTO BY JOSEPH MUCHIRI/STANDARD

The department of health has expressed fears that the slashing of funding to Embu Level Five hospital from Sh185 million to Sh110 million would hamper effective service delivery.

County Health Executive Pauline Njagi said the reduction of conditional grant funding could result into shortages of medicine and other facilities to cater for the large number of patients who seek treatment there.

"The hospital is the largest health institution in this region and serves patients from neighbouring Tharaka-Nithi, Kirinyaga and parts of Machakos and Kitui counties. The hospital deserves extra funding in order to relieve the burden passed on by neighbouring counties and referrals from other facilities," Ms Njagi said.

Briefing the Press at the hospital in Embu town yesterday, Njagi said patients from Tharaka Nithi had been flocking to the facility over the past one week due to the ongoing medics' strike.

"We have experienced massive arrival of patients from outside in both out-patient and in-patient departments. This causes a strain on our staff and resources," she said.

The official said though they were dedicated to serve patients without discrimination, the inadequate resources made service delivery unmanageable.

 

Enough medicine

Manyatta MP John Muchiri also said the referral hospital was overstretched and said counties neighbouring Embu should contribute money to ensure smooth running of the facility.

He said the neighbouring Kirinyaga and Tharaka Nithi counties should chip in to ensure there was enough medicine and staff to cater for the upsurge.

"This is a strain on Embu County as health services were devolved. Governors from the neighbouring counties should chip in," said Mr Muchiri in an interview with The Standard.