Residents up in arms over poor health services
By KNA, August 9, 2023People of Kakuzi Mitubiri area of Murang’a County have raised concerns about the lack of drugs in the local health facility.
They said the facility which serves thousands of people from Mitubiri, Gatuikiti and Kihiu Mwiri areas lacks essential drugs and first aid services.
Speaking after a botched meeting to elect a new hospital board of management yesterday, the residents attributed the crisis to poor leadership.
They said in most cases, they are referred to seek medical services at Murang’a and Thika Level 5 hospitals which are far away.
Ruth Watere, a resident, claimed that attempts to elect a new board to streamline the hospital’s operations had been thwarted by an elected leader “who is hell-bent on imposing his cronies”.
“When a patient arrives at the hospital, they are referred to Murang’a and Thika level 5 hospitals. Some die before reaching the hospitals. The situation has led to many deaths. We need to have a new management to sort out the mess,” said Watere.
Hannah Wangui said only the election of new officials will restore hope to residents. She said the issue had persisted for several months.
“We were to hold a meeting today to elect new officials. However, one of the leaders in the area has imposed some strangers on the management which we will not allow. We will put in office people who understand our challenges, not cronies of some leaders,” she said.
The residents called on Governor Irungu Kang’ata to intervene in streamlining the hospital’s operations.
“We ask our Governor to visit the hospital to understand the challenges that we are facing. This hospital serves thousands of residents and needs to be equipped with facilities and drugs. For how long will we continue to die due to poor leadership?” said Francis Nyoike.