Eldoret: The National Assembly's Committee on Implementation, led by Budalangi Member of Parliament Raphael Wanjala, visited Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) to evaluate the quality and standards of healthcare services. The visit is part of a nationwide initiative to assess referral hospitals across Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, the committee inspected key departments, including the cancer unit, the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) facility, and the cardiac catheterization laboratory. This assessment aims to identify challenges faced by referral hospitals to ensure they receive adequate government support. Wanjala noted that the committee is acting on recommendations from the Departmental Committee on Health and emphasized the importance of securing additional resources for these facilities.
MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philip Kirwa expressed appreciation for the visit, highlighting its role in providing lawmakers with a direct view of the hospital's achievements and constraints. Dr. Kirwa detailed ongoing programs, such as chemotherapy, outpatient blood transfusion services, and minimally invasive procedures at the Cath Lab. He also mentioned a cardiology camp currently performing pacemaker insertions for 30 patients.
Dr. Kirwa pointed out that the hospital faces significant pressure from a large patient influx from Western Kenya and parts of East Africa, including the DRC. This situation is exacerbated by limited staff and infrastructure. "One of the biggest challenges remains human resources," he stated, noting that some clinics see doctors attending to as many as 300 patients daily, leading to extended working hours for the staff.
Inadequate bed capacity also contributes to long waiting times for admission and treatment, while outpatient care is delayed due to long queues and limited equipment.
The committee's visit to Eldoret also includes an inspection of the Eldoret-Ziwa-Kachibora road to assess its implementation progress. The team will then proceed to Baringo County to review the status of a dam project. The committee will spend two days in the North Rift region, with field visits on the first day and boardroom deliberations on the second day to review their findings comprehensively.