Shortage of health workers is the reason behind the poor service delivery in most Kisumu County health facilities, Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga has said.
Ruth who is the in charge for performance contracting and service delivery has said the shortage has seen many Kisumu residents accuse health workers of laxity and ineffectiveness.
The Deputy Governor who has been touring hospitals across the county to assess the state of service delivery has however assured that the county is set to recruit more health workers to bridge the gap.
"We have always received complaints from the locals that hospitals are not doing enough in terms of service delivery, but it is clear that there is shortage which has to be addressed," said Ruth.
Last year the county government employed 450 nurses, pharmacists, public health officers and clinical officers.
The upgrading of more dispensaries into health centres has now seen high demand for the health workers, with Ruth saying 200 more are set to be recruited soon.
"Health is a critical aspect of the economy that has to be taken seriously. I have found out that several issues such as shortage of drugs and lack of basic equipment is nolonger a problem. After visiting all the health facilities we shall make a recommendation to the Public Service on the kind of staff shortages so that we can act," said Ruth on Wednesday during a tour of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Federal Hospital.
She said health is one of the major manifestos of the county government and will ensure issues affecting the hospitals are sorted before the end of the county government's term.