Govt appoints new Director to ailing Referral Hospital

By Vincent Bartoo

The government has appointed John Kibosia as the new director to the ailing Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).

Taking charge of the troubled hospital on Friday, Kibosia promised that the institution would resume operation from next week.

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital new Director, John Kibosia(PHOTO:PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD)

“We will have sorted most short term challenges by Monday if not this weekend,” he said.

Kibosia said he would meet doctors at the hospital who had suspended their services citing poor working conditions to have them resume work.

“I have started engaging them with the view of having them return to work. I have also spoken to (medical) suppliers who are willing to restore their services,” he added.

Kibosia also assured Moi University Medical students that their exams, due in a week’s time would go on as planned.

There have been fears that the exams would not take place after key personnel at the hospital, used as a teaching institution, withdrew their services.

Addressing the press at the hospital’s boardroom, Kibosia disclosed that the government would provide emergency funds to get the institution back to its feet.

The MTRH is Kenya’s second referral hospital after Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) but was almost brought down to its knees due to mismanagement and financial problems.

Kibosia has been the Director of Health at the Prisons Department.

In the past week, pressure has been mounting for Medical Services Minister Anyang Nyong’o to take responsibility for the mess at the hospital.

The hospital has not had a substantive head for almost a year now due to squabbles over selection of a new head.