Outcry over declining services at Vihiga County Referral Hospital

The Vihiga county referral hospital entrance where doctors are striking. [Brian Kisanji/Standard] Vihiga County Referral Hospital (VCRH) continues to draw public outrage, following increasing reports of dwindling services. Patients who recently sought services at the facility told The Sunday Standard that they are routinely sent to buy basic medicines, travel elsewhere for scans, or seek treatment in private hospitals for services that should be available locally. Many say the situation is heartbreaking, yet the county government has remained largely unresponsive. Edna Musimbi recounted being forced to travel to Kakamega County for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scan because the machines at VCRH have been out of service for more than a year. She recalled how, after presenting at VCRH with a health problem, she was sent to a private clinic in Kakamega where the attending medics had called to book her in. When she returned with her results, she was diagnosed and prescribed medication - none of which was available at the hospital pharmacy. "There are no drugs in the pharmacy, no major lab tests, no critical scans, and no functional equipment in the renal unit," she said. Another resident, Stephen Chahasi, accused the facility of failing its mandate despite receiving public funds. "You are told to buy medicine from local chemists or travel to other facilities for scans and tests. Right now, the hospital is sicker than the patients," he said. He challenged Governor Wilber Ottichilo's administration to take responsibility for the failing health system. Earlier this year, health workers under the Kenya County Government Workers Union - Vihiga Branch petitioned the county government over dire working conditions, salary delays, and an overreliance on locum staff, who make up 60 percent of the county's healthcare workforce. They cited severe shortages of medical supplies, unpaid wages, and allegations of financial mismanagement within the health department. Their report noted that anesthesia machines remain non-functional, the county's only CT scan has been broken since October 2024, and a crucial safety hood for oncology drugs has yet to be repaired. Public anger spilled into the County Assembly last week when MCAs approved a damning report on the county's emergency and health referral systems. The motion, moved by Chavakali Ward MCA Gladys Yalwala and seconded by Lugaga Wamuluma MCA Fred Mavisi, revealed that despite Vihiga having 144 health facilities - 75 government-owned, 57 private, nine faith-based, and three NGO-run - the referral chain is collapsing. Assembly members expressed outrage over claims that patients were being inappropriately referred from VCRH to private hospitals in Vihiga and Kakamega, allegedly for personal gain by some staff. The report further revealed that VCRH, the only facility in the county with Accident and Emergency services, is chronically understaffed. The CT scan remains non-functional, there are no specialists in neurology, musculoskeletal surgery, or ophthalmology, and the county's only ambulance command center operates with just two donated ambulances - one of which is grounded. The Senate Standing Committee on Health raised concerns after an inspection tour prompted by a request from Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi. The Committee found that VCRH did not meet the requirements of a Level 5 facility and recommended that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council review its status. Other findings included unresolved cases of medical negligence, evidence of poor security, and possible collusion by staff with imposters operating within the hospital. "The Senate Committee recommended strengthening administrative structures and improving services. It is now upon the county government to implement this," said Osotsi. The county government is yet to issue a report on the state of health facilities.

Outcry over declining services at Vihiga County Referral Hospital

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