Senior medical officers in Nakuru have been reshuffled in a bid to improve health services.
Senior officers in nearly all major health facilities have been transferred, demoted or recalled to headquarters as part of the ongoing changes.
The changes come barely a week after the county disbanded the management board of Naivasha hospital after a 23-year-old woman died after delivery, sparking protests from residents.
In a posting order signed by health services chief officer John Murima, the affected officers are expected to report to their new stations immediately.
“The posting orders have been discussed comprehensively and the affected officers are expected to report to their new stations immediately,” the directive by Murima read.
At the Rift Valley PGH, the fate of Dr Aisha Maina remains unclear, as Dr Yusuf Mahat Rashid, who was working in Bahati, has been posted as the medical officer at the level V facility.
At the Naivasha hospital, Dr Angeline Ithondeka was transferred to PGH as a pediatrician while Dr Bernard Gathege Kamau, formerly from Molo hospital, takes over from her.
Naivasha hospital administrator Elisha Mucheru has reported to Gilgil in the same capacity and his position has been taken by Mark Wainaina from Subukia.
Others affected include Dr Risap Wambua, who heads to Elburgon from Molo, while Dr Magdeline Itumbi leaves Nakuru Level V for Elburgon as the in-charge.
Several clinical officers, nurses and support staff, including drivers, have also been transferred in the changes that are meant to transform the ailing health sector.
Speaking earlier, county secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura said the sector faced staffing and medical supplies challenges.
He said Governor Susan Kihika inherited a bloated government while nearly all the public hospitals in the county had huge pending bills.
Mwaura said failure to promote medical personnel since 2015 had affected staff morale, adding that this would be addressed in the next one month.
On drug shortage, he said the county first procured drugs worth Sh48 million and another batch of Sh100 million was on the way.
Mwaura said Naivasha Level IV hospital was among the affected facilities and it had accrued debt of more than Sh250 million, making it hard to pay suppliers.
While admitting that there was a problem at the hospital, Mwaura said the county is keen to address this by employing more staff and providing the required drugs and equipment.
