The Nakuru County Department of Health is seeking the help of the national government to upgrade some of the healthcare facilities and improve access to services.
The team which met with the Health CS Susan Wafula on Monday was led by the acting County Secretary Samuel Mwaura and County Executive Committee member (CECM) for Health Jacqueline Osoro.
Some of the key projects they want to be upgraded include the equipping of the Naivasha District Hospital and completing the Nakuru Provincial General Hospital Trauma Centre.
They also urged the Ministry to add radiotherapy machines at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.
Also present during the meeting was the PS for Medical Services Peter Tum.
“The National government will work with County governments to ensure that all Kenyans can access affordable and quality healthcare," Wafula said.
The CS pledged to support the county government in upgrading the health facilities to provide better healthcare service to residents.
Wafula hailed the county government for its commitment to healthcare through the allocation of more funds for healthcare through legislation.
She reiterated the ministry’s commitment to work with county governments to ensure that Kenyans receive affordable and quality healthcare services.
Nakuru is among counties that have ring-fenced their health budget through legislation.
Healthcare is a devolved function as per the 2010 Constitution.
This means county governments are entrusted with all functions related to health care.
The national government on the other hand is responsible for health policy and national referral health facilities such as Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
This has however left healthcare workers extremely dissatisfied leading to frequent strikes at both county and national levels.
This has seen health unions push for the formation of a Health Service Commission as the only guarantee for the achievement of the desired reforms and harmony in the health sector.
