Murang’a government in plans to decongest local level 5 and 4 hospitals

Murang’a

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

KNA by Bernard Munyao

The County Government of Murang’a is currently constructing new health centres and dispensaries in rural areas, aimed at decongesting the county level 5 and 4 health facilities.

 Governor Irungu Kang’ata has said his administration is currently renovating and improving service delivery in a number of health centres to ensure only referral cases are dealt with at the county level 5 hospital.

 “Currently our level four hospitals including Maragua rural, Muriranjas, Bildad Kagia and the county level 5 facility located in Murang’a town, have been receiving a huge number of patients and a majority of the cases can be handled in health centres and dispensaries.” He remarked.

He revealed that the county government is targeting to construct 80 new dispensaries to bring to a total of 200 pointing that this will ensure the locals have access to primary health care.

 “In the current financial year, we have allocated Sh.180 million for rehabilitation and construction of health facilities and an additional Sh.300 million for procurement of drugs even though the money is not enough I will ensure it is prudently utilized,” said Kang’ata said, when he launched Kiangage dispensary.

 Kang’ata said his administration is currently working to complete Kenneth Matiba level 5 hospital in Makenji area of Kandara Sub County and Kigumo level 4 facility saying the two hospitals will hugely boost health care service delivery in the county.

“Opening of Kenneth Matiba hospital will be in less than two weeks’ time. The hospital is being relocated to a newly constructed building in the Makenji area from rented premises in Kenol. The facility will serve the residents from the counties within Murang’a south region.” He added.

Meanwhile, Kang’ata divulged that his government is currently working to source for insurance companies that will provide medical cover for the vulnerable households listed under the Kang’ata care health programme.

This, he noted, is due to shifting from NHIF to Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) which does not cater for enhanced scheme.

 He explained NHIF provided for enhanced cover including last expense to the beneficiaries saying with structures of SHIF, the provision cannot be catered by the normal subscription.

“The NHIF has a specialized medical cover and benefits package which have been abolished in the SHIF therefore we have no option other than to source for the same cover from a private entity.” He noted.

 The governor continued, “The other option we have is to pay extra money for the special package for more than sh20, 000 households registered in the Kang’ata care programme, which may not be sustainable due to the budgetary allocation for the health docket.”

Kang’ata care was established early last year, where the vulnerable families were listed to access enhanced medical care and last expense cover in a partnership between the county government and the NHIF.

Courtesy; KNA