Residents suffering from diseases other the Covid-19 should go to hospitals across the county for treatment, Kisii Governor James Ongwae has said.
Ongwae said all the health facilities including the Kisii Teaching and Referral have enough health personnel to attend to them.
Speaking to the Star on the phone, Ongwae told residents not to fear visiting hospitals because of the coronavirus.
He said his administration has put in place all the necessary measures, including isolation centres for suspected cases.
“It will be unfortunate if patients suffering from other diseases shun hospitals because of the Covid-19 stigma,” he said.
The governor discouraged people from opting to self-medicate because of fear that they will be put on quarantine on suspicion of coronavirus infection.
“Shunning hospitals is dangerous and could worsen the conditions of those with chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and tuberculosis,” the county boss said.
Ongwae, however, noted with concern that residents have gone back to their normal businesses and are disregarding government directives to control the virus.
He said some boda boda operators are carrying two passengers despite the directive that they carry one at a time.
“It is irritating that some residents have ignored government directives. They should be warned that the law will take its cause,” he said.
The county chief directed the enforcement team to work closely with the police in ensuring that the directives are obeyed.
A spot check at Menyinkwa in the outskirts Kisii town found that traders who had come to buy tomatoes were crowding, exposing themselves to infection.
(edited by o. owino)
