The effects of the investment of millions of shillings by the Nakuru County government has started reaching the grassroots as patients boast of better and improved health services.
This is evident at the Nakuru Provincial General Hospital, where millions of shillings had been set aside for the expansion and improvement of the facilities.
“My daughter who had an appendix problem underwent a successful surgery. Both the doctors and nurses involved were not only friendly but took time to explain to the 13-year-old the entire procedure, counselled her on how the effect will be on her life and even showed her video clips of people who had underwent the programme and got healed,” said Jotham Kihoro.
He pointed out that the availability of the medicine at the pharmacy was also a great improvement.
“Unlike in earlier days, we were forced to go and buy medicine from chemists, which were often at an exaggerated price,” he added.
Nakuru PGH also becomes the second facility in the country to introduce a dialysis centre which has seen residents cut travelling and service costs in Nairobi.
County Health Executive Dr Mungai Kabii said that Nakuru County had the biggest dialysis centre at PGH after Kenyatta National Hospital adding that it was also the cheapest.
The centre offers dialysis at a rate of Sh5,500 per session. However, residents with a National Health Insurance fund (NHIF) pay only Sh3,000.
“Currently, the dialysis unit serves between 36 and 40 patients in a day. However, we have introduced a new machine that serves 20 patients at a go,” said Kabii.
Peter Wachira, a kidney patient, said that the burden of travelling had also eased.
“Travelling to Nairobi had been a nightmare especially since one needed to go with several people who would accompany you as sometimes one is too weak to travel alone. One had to also plan for accommodation and medical care,” said Wachira who hails from Subukia.
Dr Kabii pledged to continue with the expansion of the hospital, citing that the hospital had received a magnetic resonance imaging machine, computerised tomography scan machine, radiology machine and a state-of-the-art theatre with an anti-bacterial floor to ensure that the services were better.
At the Nakuru West Dispensary, patients pointed out that the availability of medicine is welcome.
“The hospital never used to have drugs and the fact that one can walk in and out of the hospital without paying a single cent has proven that the health department in Nakuru County has improved greatly,” said Esther Njeri, a patient said.
However, she pointed out that some of the doctors and nurses were slow forcing patients to spend long hours before they are attended to.
At the Naivasha District hospital maternity wing, patients say that the availability of midwives is a relief.
“Before, one would deliver alone. In some cases, patients even assisted others to get babies yet they were in pain. Currently, there are at least enough doctors to attend to patients. We also have maternal deaths,” said Elizabeth Muthoni.
Patients living with HIV/Aids from the area also said that they are no longer turned away due to lack of ARVs.
“They are now easily available and the stigma has been reduced hence patients can now walk in freely without fear of being ridiculed or intimidated,” said Paul Njoroge who is living with HIV.
The facility, which also offers Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMCC) all year round has been a major
“We have received more than 70 patients who are willing to walk in and be circumcised this year alone from the Centre,” said Jeremiah Kutwa, who is in charge of VMMC.