Lack of covid-19 ICU specialists raises concern in Homa Bay

Part of the newly established Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital. [James Omoro, Standard]

The Intensive Care Unit for Covid-19 patients at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital lacks specialised personnel.

The 18-bed unit with specialised equipment such as ventilators and cardiac monitors, lack specialists who can provide critical health care to coronavirus patients.

Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) has expressed concerns over the issue and urged the county government to hire qualified medics urgently.

County KNUN executive secretary Omondi Nyonje said the situation poses danger to residents who may be overwhelmed by Covid-19 infections.

“We have an ICU which is very well equipped but we don’t have the personnel who can handle the unit,” Nyonje said.

Nyonje said it is unfair for residents to rely on ICU services from other counties yet they have an equipped unit.

However, Homa Bay Health Executive Richard Muga said they encountered a challenge getting qualified personnel when the ICU was opened two months ago.

The county has registered at least 165 positive cases.