Gov't Issues Appeal to Over 559,000 Trans Nzoia Residents as Ruto Inspects Hospital Project

The government has appealed to more than 559,000 residents of Trans Nzoia County who are not registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to enrol in the health insurance programme to improve access to medical services.

The appeal was made by the Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga during President William Ruto's inspection of the construction and equipping of a maternal and newborn ward at Endebess Sub-County Hospital on Saturday, October 10.

The project comprises a 26-bed maternal ward and a 54-bed newborn ward, with the National Government investing Ksh248.8 million in the facility.

Oluga said the investment was intended to improve maternal and newborn healthcare by enabling mothers to deliver safely and ensuring newborns receive medical care closer to their homes.

"This Ksh248.8 million investment by the National Government is about one thing: that every mother in Endebess gives birth safely, and every newborn gets the best start in life, close to home," he wrote.

The government has also supported healthcare services in Trans Nzoia through the National Equipment Support Programme (NESP), which has enabled Endebess Sub-County Hospital to acquire essential diagnostic equipment.

According to Oluga, the hospital now has a functional ultrasound machine and laboratory, allowing patients to access scans and laboratory tests without travelling long distances to other facilities.

Kijana Wamalwa Level 5 Hospital and Bondeni Health Centre have also received equipment under the programme, with the total investment in the three facilities amounting to Ksh40 million.

"Under the National Equipment Support Programme (NESP), Endebess now has a working ultrasound and laboratory. Mothers can get scans and tests here instead of travelling long distances. 

"Kijana Wamalwa Level 5 Hospital and Bondeni Health Centre have also received equipment that is installed and serving patients, a total of Ksh40 million in Trans Nzoia. And more is possible with county government request," he added.

The government has further channelled billions of shillings to healthcare facilities in Trans Nzoia through SHA to support the delivery of medical services.

Oluga said the payments had helped hospitals maintain operations and continue serving residents across the county.

"Through the Social Health Authority, Government has paid Ksh2.36 billion to health facilities in Trans Nzoia. This money is keeping our hospitals running and serving wananchi," he further said.

Despite the investments, the government expressed concern over the county’s SHA registration rate, which remains below the national average.

Oluga said only 43.5 per cent of Trans Nzoia residents had registered with SHA, compared with the national registration rate of 69.7 per cent, leaving more than 559,000 residents without coverage.

The government called on households, local leaders, Community Health Promoters and other residents to prioritise registration to improve access to healthcare services.

"Sadly, only 43.5% of residents in Trans Nzoia are registered with SHA, against 69.7% nationally. More than 559,000 residents are not yet covered. We call on every family, leader, Community Health Promoter and citizen in Trans Nzoia to make registration a priority by Dialing *147# today," he concluded.

Elsewhere, the Siaya County Referral Hospital is undergoing a major modernisation and expansion project that will introduce new surgical theatres, an intensive care unit (ICU) and advanced diagnostic facilities.

In an update on Friday, October 9, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the project, implemented jointly by the national and county governments, is expected to transform the facility into a Level 5 referral hospital with a capacity of 500 beds.

He said the investment was part of the government's efforts to support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms with modern infrastructure and equipment.

"Access to quality, affordable and efficient healthcare is a non-negotiable right and the Government's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms are being matched with the infrastructure and equipment needed to make this a reality," he wrote.

Omollo noted that the expansion was being undertaken through collaboration between the two levels of government, with Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) engineers leading the construction works.

"The comprehensive modernisation and expansion of Siaya County Referral Hospital, implemented jointly by the national and county governments with construction led by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) engineers, is transforming the facility into a Level 5 referral hub for the Lake Victoria region, with capacity set to rise to 500 beds," he added.

According to Omollo, the new Surgical Theatre and ICU Complex has completed civil works and is undergoing final equipping ahead of its operationalisation. 

The complex will feature four modern operating theatres, a 10-bed intensive care unit and a Central Sterile Services Department.

The facility will also have pharmacies, X-ray services and CT-scan equipment to strengthen its capacity to handle complex medical cases and improve diagnostic services.

Beyond the surgical and critical care facilities, construction is progressing on additional infrastructure intended to expand the hospital's services and accommodate more patients.

"Work is also advancing on a specialised Mother and Child Complex, an Accident, Emergency and Outpatient Department with a dialysis centre and expanded inpatient wards designed to ease congestion and improve isolation capacity," he further said.

Omollo said the programme was providing specialised equipment to complement the new infrastructure and improve the hospital's ability to diagnose and manage different medical conditions.

"Through the National Equipment Supplies Programme, the Ministry of Health is deploying digital X-ray systems, advanced laboratory equipment and specialised cardiology units to complement the new infrastructure," he noted.