Parliament has recommended allocation of more funds to Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH).

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health while on a fact-finding tour to the Hospital heard that the ultra-modern public facility requires about Sh19 billion to complete some of the major undertakings including extension of the cancer centre, construction of a children’s hospital and a women’s wing.

Besides, the hospital Chief Executive Ahmed Dagane said the facility needs Sh1.2 billion in personal emoluments owed to staff, Sh150 million for expansion, while waivers for patients amount to Sh259 million.

Regarding the 150-acre land on which the facility is built, the board chairperson Prof Olive Mugenda (pictured) appealed to the Committee to enable a lease agreement with Kenyatta University which holds the title deeds.

The Committee Chairman Robert Pukose said the issue of KU students using KUTRRH for teaching should be resolved amicably, adding that both institutions were government parastatals.

Pukose who is the MP for Endebess had led a 10-member committee team on a tour of the National Referral Hospital to understand the challenges facing it as well as its successes.

“This is primarily an oncology centre, it is a specialised hospital and we don’t want to derail the hospital on its mission particularly as a premier cancer treatment centre,” said the chairman after hearing presentations from the CEO and the board chairperson.

The Committee members recommend that KUTRRH and other referral hospitals should work with county governors with a bid to devolve referral services.

Regarding the fight between the hospital and the University over use of the training facilities, they said there was need for the two institutions to work together on the issue of teaching and research.