MCAs protest as staff shortage bites in rural public health facilities

A county assembly committee has accused the county government of inaction as public hospitals grapple with under-staffing.

Yesterday, Committee on Health Services chairperson Njuguna Mwaura tabled a report on the state of hospitals in Tinet Ward, which was almost similar to another one they tabled at the beginning of the month for facilities in Mau Narok.

“The facilities are grappling with serious staffing shortage. Some have not been conducting laboratory services due to lack of lab technicians. Most of them have a single nurse and are closed down when the nurses go on leave or for seminars,” Njuguna said.

Tinet MCA David Malel noted that Chemaner Dispensary - the oldest health facility in the Ward - has not recorded any delivery in the past six months despite having a state-of-the-art maternity wing. He said the facility has only one nurse and two casual workers.

Private facilities

“During the visit, Chemaner’s maternity wing was not operational as a majority of the mothers prefer to give birth at home or in neighbouring public and private facilities. Residents keep off the facility because the availability of the nurse is unpredictable,” said Mr Malel.

Despite having an inpatient wing, no patient has been admitted there and the kitchen is not operational. The situation is the same at Taita and Mwisho wa Lami dispensaries.

“Taita and Mwisho wa Lami dispensaries have one nurse each who double up as in-charge for the facilities. On average, they attend to at least 30 patients per day. The Department of Health Services and the county public service board should recruit more staff urgently,” the report read in part.

Gilgil MCA Jane Wangui said the facilities continue to face many challenges despite the assembly approving a budget that gave the health sector the lion's share.