Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has said his administration will hire more medical staff to address personnel shortage in county hospitals.
On Friday, Lusaka said he has visited most healthcare facilities and found few medics attending to patients.
"It's becoming clear that all the public facilities are greatly understaffed hence the need to employ additional nurses, clinical officers and doctors," Lusaka said after touring Naitiri subcounty hospital in Tongaren.
The governor said he will implore the county assembly to factor the same in the supplementary budget.
"This must be done because we can't compromise with the health of our people," he said.
Lusaka said while they were numerous ongoing projects in different hospitals human resource is critical to empowering health facilities.
He urged residents to register for the NHIF cover to access quality healthcare easily.
"I have been forced to waive bills for some patients who are unable to pay and even dipped into my pockets to clear arrears, that is why our people must register for NHIF to overcome such hurdles," Lusaka said.
The governor further decried the deplorable state of the Misikhu -Brigadier road saying it remained incomplete even after he initiated it in his first regime.
Lusaka served his first term between 2013 and 2017 when he lost to outgoing governor Wycliffe Wangamati.
Lusaka said he will complete all projects started by Wangamati.
"Leaving such projects is a waste of taxpayers' money, I will ensure no project is left unfinished," Lusaka said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
