Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru says number of patients seeking treatment in public hospital has surged after enhanced primary healthcare services across the county.
The governor said the surge is an indication that the ongoing transformation in the county health sector is bearing fruits.
Kirinyaga county has so far constructed and equip 19 more dispensaries.
The county has also ensured uninterrupted supply of drugs and delivery of services by medics.
Speaking after officially opening Kamwana dispensary and Joshua Mbai laboratory, Waiguru said public trust in health sector in the county has gone up.
"Our flagship project is the upcoming Kerugoya Level Five Hospital complex which will offer specialised services that were previously not available in our county,” Waiguru explained.
The county is also upgrading Kianyaga and Kimbimbi hospitals from level 3 to level 4 facilities. Construction has already commenced.
“Apart from opening dispensaries and health centers in almost every sublocation, we have ensured that our hospitals have adequate supply of medicine. That is why more people are now coming to seek treatment,” she said.
Speaking on Friday,the county chief said Kamwana dispensary and Joshua Mbai laboratory will save the beneficiaries from traveling long distances and using more money hence giving them more time to attend to other social economic activities.
At the Kamwana dispensary, residents will access outpatient services, TB services, anti-natal and post-natal services, childcare services, pharmacy and laboratory services among others.
“They will also get early detection of ailments that may require further investigation and treatment for which they can be referred to advanced facilities in a timely manner,” she added.
With good primary healthcare at dispensaries, the governor said this will reduce congestion at Kerugoya County Referral Hospital, Kianyaga and Kimbimbi, to allow them effectively handle more complex health matters.
She said adequate number of clinical officers, nurses, lab technicians and other relevant staff have already been deployed to offer services.
“The dispensary will serve over 3,000 beneficiaries and have the capacity to serve at least 100 patients daily. It will serve the residents of Kamwana, Nguguiini, Kiambatha, Giacigamba, Kithima, Gatumbi and other villages within Kabari sublocation who previously frequented Kiamutugu health centre or Kianyaga hospital for treatment,” the governor explained.
The governor further announced that the county is setting up laboratories in all its medical facilities to assist the medics in determining the appropriate diagnosis of a particular disease.
Joshua Mbai laboratory will help the dispensary serve residents of Kiamwambia, Kiangoro, Kiriko, Kibai, Kiringa and Kathunguri and other parts of Rung’eto sublocation much better.
“Previously residents would seek laboratory services at private facilities at a very high cost, we want to ensure all our dispensaries have good laboratories,” Waiguru pointed out.
