Develop public hospitals, KMA tells Gov’t

The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) now wants both the national and county governments to improve the infrastructure of public hospitals in the country.

Speaking in Kisumu during the 44^th annual KMA scientific conference, the Chairman Elly Nyaim said that there is a need for good infrastructure in hospitals, for the improvement of better service delivery.

“Most hospitals, especially in counties are not run well and lack basic requirements, therefore, hospitals need to be equipped well so as to offer the public good service,” he said.

Nyaim urged stakeholders to recruit more health practitioners noting that most of the hospitals understaffed.

He also called on county governments to support the health sector in terms of ensuring that health workers are well paid in order to avoid a crisis in the sector.

“County government should also embrace leasing of medical machines since they are too expensive and difficult to maintain,” said Nyaim.

Over the years, the health sector has faced challenges.

Early last month Nandi County health workers downed their tools.

The workers had gone on strike, demanding for promotion and clearance of salary arrears.

Last year, the government was faced with the challenge of implementing a Ksh38 billion hospital equipment deal, a move that aimed at leasing medical equipment for 94 hospitals in counties across Kenya.

The deal saw the governors’ move to court to challenge the government over the matter, questioning why the government chose a leasing arrangement instead of purchasing the medical equipment.