It is not yet Uhuru for residents of Itibonge in Bobasi, Kisii county, who travel more than 10km to seek medical services.
A health centre in the area, whose construction was started in 2016 by the county government, is yet to be completed.
“This facility is currently in ruins. We are appealing to the county government to complete it and post health workers. We are suffering because we travel long distances to seek health services,” resident Abel Siringi said.
“Devolution was meant to bring services closer to the people. We hear that the government has improved many hospitals across the county which is good. We want Itibonge health centre to be completed.”
Resident Priscah Nyaboke said women are forced to deliver at home. “In case of complications during birth, we don’t know what will happen because event roads are in a bad shape,” she said.
The residents held protests at the incomplete facility and made an appeal to Kisii Governor James Ongwae, MP Innocent Obiri and MCA Zablon Mokua to intervene.
“These are our leaders. We elected them because we love them. Now we want them to help us have easy access to health services,” village elder Kennedy Gori said.
County director of health Geoffrey Otomu said the devolved unit is in the process of completing and operationalising 12 health facilities.
He said since 2013, the county government has operationalised 33 health facilities.
“To remedy the situation in Itibonge, we have been conducting medical outreach programmes in the area at least once a month,” he said.
Otomu said the completion of the facility was delayed due to budget constraints occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“To operationalise a health facility, you need health workers, infrastructure and medical supplies. In terms of provision of health services, we have done well. A huge budget of the county goes to the health ministry,” said Otomu.
Edited by A.N
