The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Hospital facelift and expansion remedy for county's patients

Health & Science

By Alex Wakhisi | Apr 17, 2016

Vihiga County Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent Emmanuel Ayodi (centre) explains to Governor Moses Akaranga (left) how some of the newly acquired equipment function when he visited the facility recently. [PHOTO: ERIC LUNGAI/STANDARD]

The refurbished Vihiga County Referral Hospital has received medical equipment and was expanded to treat more complex medical conditions.

The county administration says Sh29 million has been spent on the a facelift and expansion programme. The county hospital is now well equipped to offer more specialised treatment to cancer patients.

The objectives is to ensure that patients from the region do not have to travel to more distant hospitals to get specialised treatment, Governor Moses Akaranga said.

Some of the newly-purchased equipment include a breast cancer scanning machine and C-arm machine.

An oxygen plant was also installed, while a new maternity surgery theatre with two electro-surgical machines was also put up.

Keep Reading

This theatre has two operating tables, two instrument trolleys and three patient stretchers.

The refurbished dental unit also has a new sterilisation machine.

The county has also procured drugs to be distributed to all health facilities to address shortage, says the Chief Officer in-charge of Health Services, Ms Lucy Ijai.

The chief officers said drugs to treat malaria, high blood pressure, typhoid and other water borne diseases had run out in most health institutions, but with their restocking patients will not have to purchase their supplies from the more expensive private pharamcies.

“I want to assure residents that health facilities are adequately stocked. No one should be asked to buy drugs from private hospitals,” said Ijai.

The newly established blood bank at Vihiga hospital will be critical during emergencies as patients will no longer have to travel to Kakamega and Kisumu, she added

“We have saved lives following the setting up of the blood bank. We can now handle emergencies,” Ijai said.

Vihiga Governor Akaranga said patients can now access quality and affordable health services in the county.

“We want our hospitals to have adequate supplies of drugs and modern health equipment to offer quality medical care,” said Akaranga.