By The Weekly Vision Reporter
The Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Senator Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), conducted an oversight visit to Kiambu County Referral Hospital as part of its mandate to assess healthcare service delivery, infrastructure, and resource utilisation in public health facilities across the country.
During the visit, the Committee raised concern over mothers who had remained in the hospital for more than three months due to unpaid medical bills. After deliberations with the County Executive, the leadership agreed to clear the pending bills under the Wamatangi Care programme.
Mandago commended the county government for addressing the matter, noting that the affected mothers, categorised as indigents, would be discharged within 48 hours. The committee also highlighted the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies recorded at the facility and urged Kiambu County leadership, including Members of the County Assembly, to prioritise community sensitisation to address the rising numbers.
Additionally, the committee encouraged residents to register for the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that many women admitted to the maternity ward lacked SHA coverage, which could otherwise ease their financial burdens and improve access to services. On infrastructure, the committee expressed concern over the hospital’s non-functional incinerator and emphasised the urgent need to improve medical waste management.
County Assembly members assured the committee that provisions for procuring a new incinerator would be included in the next supplementary budget. The committee further noted gaps in the mortuary section, including inadequate equipment, and recommended that the county government provide the necessary tools, offer permanent employment to staff, and consider promotions for long-serving personnel. The visit also covered Ruaka Level 3 and Karuri facilities, where the Committee inspected ongoing improvement works.
