Murang’a Senator Advocates for Improvements in Local Health Sector
MURANG’A – Senator Joe Nyutu of Murang’a has urged the county’s devolved administration to enhance service delivery in the health sector to alleviate the suffering of patients seeking medical care.
According to Kenya News Agency, remarks made in response to a spate of complaints from locals regarding poor service delivery in major public hospitals, Nyutu emphasized the urgent need for the county government to ensure a consistent supply of drugs and to discipline health workers found undermining operations in these facilities.
Patients, especially those visiting Murang’a Level-5 Hospital, have taken to social media in recent days to voice their frustrations with the public health system. They have highlighted issues such as the lack of drugs, a shortage of medical officers, extensive wait times, a malfunctioning imaging unit, and the absence of medical staff during night and weekend shifts.
On Thursday, Nyutu called on Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s administration to overhaul operations in all local public health facilities and to ensure effective supervision of health workers, particularly those who are absent from their duties. “Following numerous public complaints, I have spoken with Governor Kang’ata, who has committed to addressing these challenges and improving service delivery,” Nyutu said.
The senator also highlighted the community’s pain when patients are directed to purchase medicine from private chemists due to the unavailability of drugs at public hospitals, noting the financial burden this places on those who are unable to afford such costs.
Furthermore, Nyutu suggested the implementation of alternative methods for registering and maintaining patients’ records, in addition to the recently installed digital system, to prevent delays when technical issues arise. He acknowledged the benefits of digitizing hospital operations but stressed the need for a reliable backup system to ensure continuous service delivery.
The digitization initiative, which was launched last year, allows patients to access services using biometric data, eliminating the need for physical documents. However, Nyutu pointed out the necessity of regular maintenance for critical equipment like CT scan machines to prevent patients from needing to seek services elsewhere.
In response, Dr. Fredrick Mbugua, the County Health Executive Committee (CEC) member, assured that various measures have been taken to streamline operations in major hospitals, including the Level-5 facility, to better serve patients. “The governor is dedicated to enhancing the quality of health services,” Mbugua stated in a conversation with the Kenya News Agency (KNA).