Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital has been upgraded to a level five health facility to offer more services to the people.
The hospital has been operating as a level four facility with limited medical procedures.
The facility now joins the Kisii County Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisii county and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu county as hospitals, where complicated ailments can be handled.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council chief executive registar David Kariuki said they issued license to the hospital after it complied with the law.
“Homa Bay County Referral Hospital is hereby licensed to operate a public medical institution in accordance with the provisions of the rule (5) of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist (Medical institutions) rule,” Kariuki said.
The license permits the hospital to admit a maximum of 311 patients at its wards.
Governor Gladys Wanga said elevation of the referral hospital will enable it to conduct research, serve as a training centre for health workers and offer internship services for medical students.
She said the elevation of the facility makes it first among Jaramogi and Kisii hospitals in the region.
“The elevation reaffirms our commitment to providing access to quality, safe and specialised healthcare services,” Wanga said.
The governor promised that her tenure will ensure there is development in the health sector to ensure reduced deaths.
Homa Bay has been struggling with poor health services in public facilities. However, Wanga-led reforms seem to be bearing fruits.
It includes renovation of dilapidated hospitals and installation of new machines.
Carol Adongo, nursing services director at the hospital, said the number of patients visiting the hospital have increased since the new administration took power.
At the maternity ward the number of deliveries has increased from 140 per month to 350 per month.
Judith Odipo, Nurses Association of Kenya representative at the Homa Bay hospital, said the elevation combined with more medics will make work easier.
Constant supply of pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals will ensure the county hospital provides services effectively to the people.
“Patients will no longer be sent to buy drugs and syringes. This will improve trust in services we offer,” Odipo said.
Renovation at the maternity wing has made delivery more comfortable for mothers.
