The Kenya Medical Pharmacists and Dentist Union chairman Samuel Oroko has raised concern over the ineffectiveness by County government of Nakuru in handling influenza outbreak in the region.
Addressing journalists in Nakuru town on Tuesday, Oroko said the county government has been unable to effectively handle the outbreak since it lacks the necessary equipment.
According to Oroko, only one laboratory in the whole of county placed at Nakuru Level Five Hospital (PGH) handles the samples before they are sent to Nairobi for diagnosis which takes between 3 and 4 days.
“The case of influenza outbreak in Nakuru County should awaken the government and equip laboratories within the region because lack of properly equipped labs has led to the deaths of over 30 children from the attack,” he said.
He added: “If for instance there is an influenza case from Naivasha, the patient has to come here to PGH before the samples are taken to Nairobi for diagnosis which takes between 3-4 days and this makes it harder to contain such cases.”
He appealed to the government to equip laboratories within all county health facilities and also vaccinate and provide safety gear to doctors in regions where influenza and Hepatitis A outbreaks have been reported.