Pathetic: Turkana patients sleep on floor, share beds mattresses

What passes for health services in Turkana is a horror show.

Patients share beds, some without mattresses, some sleep on the floor.

Thieves enter through an unfenced area and steal beds, mattresses, patients' clothes and anything they can sell.

Critical equipment hasn't been serviced for six years. Ambulances are grounded for lack of repair.

As he makes impromptu tours of hospitals, Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomurukai has pledged to procure more ambulances and repair the grounded ones.

The governor promised to be a hands-on leader on his impromptu visits to Lodwar County Referral Hospital and Kainuk Health Centre in Turkana South.

"We will also streamline payment of suppliers, including cleaners and ensure fuel supply is streamlined, the governor said.

Lomorukai said a county receiving more than Sh12 billion from the exchequer with additional support from donors should guarantee quality care at all public facilities.

"The hospital is in a pathetic situation because in some wards patients are forced to sleep on beds that have no mattresses. Others are in congested wards and are sleeping on the floor," the county boss said.

It was established that most health workers on duty had no access to required reagents, drugs and medical supplies due to lack of a clear budget by top management.

"I will urgently meet with top officials in the health department so that services at all health facilities are improved in my first 100 days in office," Lomorukai said.

His administration will set aside funds to establish a modern referral hospital on 30 available acres to reduce referrals outside the county.

Health workers appealed to the new administration to establish an emergency fund kitty for poor and vulnerable patients to reduce costly referral expenditure outside the county.

Security guards said part of the hospital is not fenced and thieves were stealing hospital beds, mattresses and patients’ clothes.

(Edited by V. Graham)