CS Nakhumicha addresses Lugulu Mission Hospital's financial woes

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for health and sanitation Susan Nakhumicha on Tuesday made a decisive move towards addressing Lugulu Mission Hospital’s financial woes.

During her visit to the Bungoma county based health institution, the CS highlighted the significance of the Social Health Insurance Act, aiming to aid low-income patients.

The hospital, owed Sh10 million by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) received Sh3.4 million with Nakhumicha making a promise of settling the remaining balance, soon. Her intervention will help pay staff salaries.

She praised Community Health Promoters (CHP), and emphasised on the broader impact of primary healthcare networks.

Her next stop was the Sinoko Health Centre in Webuye sub-county, where she advocated for its urgent upgrade to enhance healthcare services.

Insisting on collaboration between national and county governments, the CS highlighted the facility’s importance in providing quality healthcare to the local community.

She was accompanied by among others, Bungoma County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Andrew Wamalwa.

CECM Wamalwa praised CS Nakhumicha’s initiatives in establishing effective primary healthcare frameworks, and acknowledged the role of legislative support in achieving integrated healthcare services nationwide.

He said improved collaboration between the national and county governments, has significantly strengthened health services in Bungoma county.

The CECM expressed gratitude for the national government's contribution of high-end vehicles, to support the implementation of Primary Health Care (PHC), adding that CHPs are thebackbone of the program.

"Plans are underway to equip these promoters with kits and mobile phones for efficient grassroots healthcare coordination," he stated.

Dr. Wamalwa further commended the national government for allowing counties to retain 100 percent of funds, under the Facility Improvement Financing Act.

The financial autonomy, he said has facilitated effective operations and maintenance of healthcare facilities.