The abandoned Boka dispensary in Bangale ward, Bura
subcounty, Tana River county / BRIAN OTIENOResidents of Boka in Bangale, Bura subcounty in Tana River, have been reprieved after the county government agreed to reopen the dispensary in the ward.
The Boka dispensary—the only such facility within a 70km radius- was closed following a violent altercation that led to three months of suffering for the locals.
This was after the nurse-in-charge and the dispensary management committee chair clashed.
The nurse suffered a broken collarbone after being attacked with a rungu, forcing both him and a colleague to withdraw.
County Health executive Joshua Jarha confirmed the dispensary will soon reopen but urged locals to guarantee safety for health workers.
“I will give them nurses, but they have to re-examine themselves and be disciplined. Nurses cannot work under threats,” Jarha said.
Police are investigating the incident, which Jarha said carried political undertones.
Residents said they had raised issues concerning the facility’s management, regretting that their actions led to the closure and left more than 300 households without medical services.
They cited two recent deaths, including a pregnant woman who lost her baby while travelling 70km to Bangale town for treatment.
Elder and former councillor Maulid Abdi said residents ended up relying on quacks for basic services.
“We regret reporting the embezzlement of funds that led to the chaos. We will never again raise such issues if it means losing health services,” he lamented.
MCA Jibril Farah admitted there were irregularities in the dispensary’s management committee, but assured that replacement nurses will be deployed by the end of the month.
