Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau has urged the Machakos County government to upgrade, expand and re-stock the Athi River Health Centre for effective service delivery.
Addressing press at his Mlolongo office on Thursday, the legislator said the health facility was in sorry state and unable to effectively provide services to the high number of patients visiting from the region.
"The facility should be well equipped, upgraded and elevated to a level five hospital to relieve Mavoko Sub County residents. Most people are travelling long distances, spending lots of time and money to seek medication," said Makau.
He said the county government was at a better position to upgrade, expand and re-stock the facility since health functions had been devolved.
Makau said the facility currently lacked most of the important and mandatory medical equipment and drugs that were mostly needed by patients who visited it.
The MP noted that most of the residents travel long distances either to Nairobi or Machakos seeking health services.
He said that there was also need to hire and deploy more medical personnel to the facility to reduce the heavy workload to the few that were apparently there alongside ensuring timely treatments and efficiency.