• Serious cases decline dramatically due to vaccination, from 200 patients at one time at MTRH to 20 now, plus 15 in home care.
• Mandago told senators county pays Sh200m annually deducted by Treasury for MES, some wrongly ended up at MTRH, not county hospitals.
Image: COURTESY
Covid-19 jabs are helping to drastically reduce the number of inpatients in the North Rift where most deaths are among the unvaccinated.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret recorded a drop in the past two weeks from 200 to 20, plus 15 in home-based care.
Sharp declines were also recorded in Kabsabet Referral Hospital in Nandi and Kitale Referral Hospital in Trans Nzoia.
MTRH's chief executive officer Dr Wilson Aruasa said the ongoing vaccination is helping to reduce the impact of the disease.
“We are happy the numbers are down but we urge all Kenyans to come out and be vaccinated and continue to adhere to the usual control measures," he said at the hospital on Monday.
He said all the severe Covid-19 cases in the region are patients who have not been vaccinated, even with a first dose. Most deaths are among the unvaccinated, especially the elderly and those with underlying conditions.
Dr Aruasa said the proposal to vaccinate children in the near future would also help to reduce transmission.
At the same time, Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has assured residents there are enough vaccine doses for them.
He wants residents, especially those older than age 50 and those with underlying conditions, to be vaccinated immediately.
He said research has shown the highest risk of death is among the elderly and those with underlying conditions.
“If you are over 50 years and not yet vaccinated, be informed that if you contract the virus, treatment may be difficult," Mandago said.
“We are losing a lot of people who have not been vaccinated to the pandemic,” he added.
Everyone should still observe all health protocols such as masking, distancing, avoiding crowds and frequent hand washing, he said.
"My appeal is that we keep on doing this even if you get the vaccination,” the governor said.
He was speaking in Sergoit, Moiben subcounty. He was joined by Deputy Speaker Hoseah Lamai and MCAs Noah Kemboi (Moiben) and David Keitany (Sergoit).
EXPLAINS MES
Mandago later appeared before the Senate Finance committee to explain spending for FY 2018-19 and equipment leasing under the Managed Equipment Services (MES) scheme.
Mandago is demanding a refund of more than Sh1 billion deducted from county funds to pay for the leased equipment because some went to MTRH and not county hospitals.
He said the county has been paying Sh200 million annually, deducted directly by the Treasury for the equipment that should not have gone to MTRH.
He was questioned on the use of leased medical equipment.
He said much of the equipment was not delivered to the county, despite full payment.
Under the MES programme, the national government supplied the leased equipment to select county hospitals. It was not intended for national facilities.
“Not all the equipment went to MTRH but some did and yet we have been paying the full amount, Mandago told the committee. The session was led by vice chairman Senator Dr Ochilo Ayacko.
The county boss said the challenge was how to quantify the cost of each item of equipment under the programme. Then the county would have a breakdown, deductions could be stopped and MTRH could reimburse the county.
He said the money is required to equip the new Sh800 million Ziwa Level 5 Hospital, which the county is putting up.
Works will be completed early next year as planned, he said.
Under MES, two public hospitals in every county were selected to receive theatre equipment and instruments, sterilisation equipment, renal dialysis setups, ICU equipment, X-ray machines and other imaging equipment. Other items were provided as well.
(Edited by V. Graham)