Cameras to the rescue of ailing Kiambu hospitals
By Oliver Musembi, February 22, 2023Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has embarked on measures meant to enhance healthcare and tame corruption amid growing concerns and criticism by residents.
The measures include installation of CCTV cameras in all public health facilities to curb rampant diversion of drugs and medical kits.
“We will ensure the medics focus on patients who have continuously protested poor services,” reads a statement from the governor.
This will include all Level 5, Level 4 and Level 3 hospitals — among them Thika, Kiambu, Gatundu, Kihara, Ruiru, Lari, Igegania, Githunguri, Tigoni, Wangige, Karatu, Karuri, Lusigetti, Kigumo, Githurai, Langata, Gachororo, Nyathuna, Ngoliba and Kiandutu.
The cameras will record all events at entrances, exits, elevators, staircases, pharmacies, stores, waiting and front service areas, corridors, as well as foot traffic of patients, medical staff and visitors.
The reforms come as Wamatangi revealed how cartels have been looting local, public hospitals. For example, at Kihara Level 4 hospital, a Sh10 million laboratory machine was vandalised at night and can no longer be used.
“This was to ensure that they continue referring patients to a nearby private facility. This is what we are fighting, said Wamatangi.
This comes as Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a last week decried the sorry state of health facilities in the county, particularly Thika Level 5 hospital, and gave Wamatangi a week to clean the mess or face mass demonstrations.
Similarly, Kabete MP Githua Wamacukuri separately told the Governor to act decisively on the ailing health sector. He said bodies of dead patients stay in the wards for up to two days before they are removed.
Wamatangi said he is partnering with international donors and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in the ongoing establishment of a universal healthcare programme.
Speaking at Ngecha, Limuru Sub-County, he said after an ongoing mass registration which ends in March, the data will be consolidated and would help put at least one million people in a public health insurance scheme.