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Susan Kihika to construct more hospitals despite criticizing previous governors

The Outpatient complex at Nakuru Teaching and Referral hospital.

Photo credit: FILE

By  JOSEPH OPENDA

Correspondent

Mtaa Wangu

Nakuru governor Susan Kihika has for some time complained of having inherited incomplete hospital projects that have derailed health service delivery in the county.

The third governor has on several occasions dismissed the development plan by previous regimes, as one which leaves the burden to the successor.

Ms Kihika argued that the improvement of the health sector goes beyond the construction of the infrastructure to also putting in place the software part of it.

“In order to have a functional health facility, more resources need to be channelled towards equipping and staffing other than just having beautiful buildings. Most of the hospital projects I inherited were either an ongoing construction of a hospital project or a site that was yet to begin construction,” she said.

However, the governor claims to have committed to complete the projects and ensure their functionality.

In addition, the governor intends to ensure all the 11 sub counties have a level four hospital by the end of her term.

Health services Chief Executive Officer Roselyne Mungai notes that equipping and staffing the hospitals costs double the amount used to bring up the building.

According to her, putting up a new level four hospital costs about Sh 250 million meaning equipping and staffing it may require another 500 million.

The CEC notes that governor Kihika has already embarked on the construction of two new level four hospitals in Rongai and Kuresoi North.

“We allocated the money for the construction of the two new hospitals which will be completed in 24 months after which they will be equipped and staffed. Imagine if we found these hospitals complete, we would be far ahead but now we had to focus on the completion of those under construction first,” says Ms Mungai.

She indicated that the county will also be upgrading some facilities to level four, while at the same time renovating those which are in a poor state such as the one in Gilgil and Subukia.

According to her, the county has already equipped the out-patient wings at the Nakuru level four hospitals and Naivasha.