Patient numbers double as free healthcare scheme picks

The number of patients going to public hospitals has doubled following the rollout of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in September 2018.

The number of people seeking advanced diagnostic services has risen by more than 60 per cent in all the seven Level 4 hospitals while general outpatient numbers have risen by 120 per cent, according to the county health department.

Demand for services at the dispensary level have risen by 30 per cent, a report shows.

According to Health Executive Rosemary Obara, UHC, also known as Afya Care, has made healthcare affordable.

Some of the services the residents used to pay for dearly include surgeries, X-ray imaging, CT scans, laboratory tests for diseases such as TB and treatment of cancer and kidney diseases.

Obara said the Sh45 billion scheme had reorganised the referral system , significantly lifting the burden off the main referral facility – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).

“This has decongested JOOTRH and Kisumu County Hospital because now people have faith in the capacity of the Level 4 hospitals to respond to their healthcare needs," she said.

The launch of theatres at Kombewa and Muhoroni hospitals has increased the number facilities capable of performing life-saving minor surgeries to five in the county, bridging a distance gap for those living far from the Kisumu town where the big hospitals are located.

Lumumba Hospital

Obara further said a number of facilities, including the Sh113 Lumumba Hospital and several clinics, would be launched to boost healthcare at the grassroots.

The CEC said healthcare had also been enhanced by timely supply of drugs by Kenya Medical Supplies Authority.

However, Obara said failure by the national government to release UHC funds was hurting hospitals' operations.

She said due to this, some of the hospitals are forced to charge patients “after running out of money to sustain themselves.”

A human resource gap and inadequate equipment in facilities is also a major a challenge for UHC. Obara, however, expressed confidence that once the funds are freed in the supplementary budget, they will address these challenges.

The two-week nurses strike also affected UHC. Patients who were sent away from wards had to seek services in private facilities.