Busia County governor Dr Paul Otuoma made an impromptu visit to the Port Victoria Sub County hospital on Tuesday evening to assess the current status of the hospital.
The governor was accompanied by Andrew Nakitare, a member of the Rapid Response initiative (RRI) task force and Mr Mohammed Noor, a political adviser to the governor visited each ward listening to the plight patients go through at the facility.
Most patients who had a chance to speak to him complained of the unavailability of drugs, lack of other essential commodities such as gloves, and linen and also being subjected to darkness due to lack of electricity despite the facility having a standby generator. Dr Otuoma keenly listened to their complaints. Dr Otwoma stated that most of the problems they faced were administrative adding that each health facility is currently controlling almost all revenue they collect unlike in the previous years where all the revenue collected was channelled to the county headquarters and later redistributed back.
“Do you really need to wait for funds from the headquarters to buy small things like gloves, masks and other small items?” he asked. Dr Otwoma added that it was illogical to wait for funds from the headquarter to fuel an ambulance or a generator when all the revenue collected from the facility is readily available. The governor assured patients that a consignment of drugs to various health facilities will be flagged off today (Wednesday). Port Victoria hospital was once a popular destination for those seeking medication among local people but its fortunes started dwindling almost over six years ago forcing locals to seek medication in the neighbouring Siaya County, the governor has vowed that he will make sure Busia residents receive quality healthcare at their nearest health facilities.
By Felix Agunda
