The county government of Nyamira has made a special appeal to the national government to help it expand the county’s largest hospital in a bid to increase the hospital’s capacity.
This comes barely 3 months after the county leadership was accused of allegedly using Kshs. 7 million to construct the main gate of the hospital.
The Nyamira county boss John Nyagarama on Wednesday urged the first lady Margret Kenyatta to act as an intermediary to the state to facilitate financial support that will aid the county government to increase the capacity of the hospital.
“This is the county’s largest public hospital and most of the time it is congested because of its small capacity. My appeal to the state through you is to help us expand the facility so that we can serve our people better,” Nyagarama said.
He said that many patients were referred to the neighbouring Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital and Kisumu’s Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral even on matters that could be handled by medical experts in the county.
“Your Excellency, the revenue we collect and the small cake we receive from the national government is not enough. We are sending many patients away to the neighbouring Kisii and Kisumu hospitals because of our small capacity,” he said.
Mrs. Kenyatta promised to channel the county’s grievances to the ministry of health so that it’s processed without delay.
“I have toured the hospital and I have noted that it is congested as well. I will notify the minister in charge to see whether they will be in a position to help. We want affordable health to all Kenyans regardless of their social–economic status,” she said.