The Nakuru County Government is set to spend over Sh1 billion to refurbish health facilities in a bid to boost access to health services.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui said they will upgrade five public hospitals by ensuring they are well equipped to offer quality services.
The governor said the upgrade will see the health facilities acquire more medical equipment to improve their efficiency in service delivery.
Kinyanjui who was speaking on Wednesday when he flagged off distribution of drugs and supplies valued at Sh100 million to health facilities said the hospitals will be equipped with diagnostic equipment as well as uplifting their capacity to handle more patients.
He said that his administration will also seek to hire 312 health practitioners in a move that is expected to ease the strain of workload that is currently experienced in the county's health sector.
The upgrade works have already started at the Nakuru Referral and Teaching Hospital, Naivasha and Molo Sub-County hospitals.
The county has allocated Sh40 million each to refurbish and equip Gilgil Mental Hospital and Elburgon Sub County hospital.
Governor Kinyanjui also said that his administration was in talks with the National Government to secure grants that will be used by Gilgil mental health facility to finance its operations and to set up a modern fully fledged and operational theatre at the hospital.
“Gilgil Hospital is the only one in the country besides Mathari Hospital that offers services to mentally disturbed patients. Unlike Mathari, Gilgil has not been receiving grants from the Treasury. We have already engaged Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki in talks and the outcome is promising,” he said as quoted by KNA.