Kerugoya: Dialysis patients at the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital could soon breathe a sigh of relief after the Kirinyaga County Assembly's Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation Committee revealed gaps in the facility's renal unit, even as the devolved unit prepares to receive new dialysis machines under the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP).
According to Kenya News Agency, the committee, led by chairperson Isaiah Mbogo, visited the facility on an oversight mission aimed at assessing service delivery, the state of equipment, staffing levels, drug availability, and accountability in the use of national and county health resources. The oversight visit comes days after County Executive for Health George Karoki announced that Kirinyaga is set to receive 25 new dialysis machines through NESP. Of these, 10 will be installed at Kerugoya Referral Hospital, while Sagana, Kimbimbi, and Kianyaga hospitals will each get five.
But for now, the situation on the ground remains strained. The committee established that only two dialysis machines are currently operational at Kerugoya's renal unit, after the six earlier supplied under the Managed Equipment Service (MES) programme broke down. Staff shortages have further compounded the challenge, forcing the few available health workers to work overtime to meet patient needs.
However, the hospital management assured the committee that three new dialysis machines are expected before the end of this week, marking the beginning of a transition that will expand capacity and ease pressure on patients. At the pharmacy unit, the committee found that the hospital had received a consignment of drugs from KEMSA last Friday, but they were still in the process of redistributing them to the three dispensing points serving outpatients, the special clinic unit, and inpatients.
The management admitted that bureaucratic procurement procedures occasionally delay supplies, though steps are being taken to align stock management with national guidelines. In cases where prescribed medicines are unavailable, clinicians are provided with updated lists of substitutes to ensure continuity of treatment. The committee also raised concern over the lack of surveillance cameras at the central drugstore, recommending such installation to guard against pilferage.
Speaking after the inspection, Mbogo, who is also the Kabare ward representative, said the County Assembly's aim was not just to identify weaknesses but also to ensure that recent investments in health services directly translate into benefits for patients. "The oversight visit allows us to see firsthand what is working and what needs urgent attention. Our goal is to make sure that the resources being delivered under national and county programmes translate into quality, accessible care for our people," he said. The committee is expected to prepare a report of its findings and table the same before the County Assembly for debate and adoption.