Residents of Subukia Sub-County have asked Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua to fulfill his promise of buying them an ambulance.
The residents who spoke at Subukia trading centre on Thursday, said the county government at the start of this year promised to buy an ambulance for Subukia Sub-County Hospital but the promise is yet to be fulfilled.
Speaking on their behalf, Jecinta Maina said women have been the most affected as they are forced to walk long distances to get medical attention especially during child delivery.
“Women are carried to the nearest dispensaries or health centres on wheelbarrows and sometimes on sacks where bodabodas cannot reach due to poor road network. In cases of referrals to Nyahururu or Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, we have to rely on taxis or matatus. We want the governor to give the hospital an ambulance and save us all these sufferings,” said the 43-year-old mother of three.
Her sentiments were echoed by Monicah Mwaura.
When contacted for comment, Subukia Ward MCA Peter Njoroge Mwanjo confirmed that already the county government has bought an ambulance for Subukia Sub-County and are awaiting registration.
Meanwhile, the Kabazi Sub-County Hospital relies on ambulance services from Bahati Sub-County Hospital in Maili Kumi for cases of maternity referral.
The ambulance was donated by the Geothermal Development Company.
Health officials from Kabazi Hospital who spoke to HiviSasa.com said the ambulance is sometimes unreliable especially when it is engaged in service delivery in far areas; hence residents rely on public means to transport their patients.