Uasin Gishu seeks to upscale 24-hour service at hospitals

Uasin Gishu health executive Janet Kurgat with staff during an inspection visit at Kabobo Health Centre on Tuesday /MATHEWS NDANYI

Uasin Gishu County is streamlining operations at its health facilities to ensure more of them offer 24-hour services to residents.

Health Services executive Janet Kurgat said the county is implementing a comprehensive support supervision exercise to ensure all the 138 county health facilities provide quality and reliable services.

“Health is an essential service, and we are going around to ensure all our facilities have the capacity to serve residents effectively,” Kurgat said.

She led a county team on a tour of Kabobo, Soy and surrounding areas, urging residents to seek care at their local facilities, many of which have been upgraded.

The visits to Kabobo and Soy health centres focused on assessing service delivery, strengthening the quality of care and engaging frontline health workers as part of the county’s efforts to enhance accessible, people-centred healthcare.

Kurgat reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to provide 24-hour maternity and medical emergency services, noting that the two facilities are well-positioned to serve surrounding communities day and night.

“We want our people to know that quality healthcare is available close to them. These facilities operate 24 hours for maternity and medical emergencies,” she said.

Chief Officer for Promotive and Preventive Health Dr Paul Wangwe and Director of Medical Services, Dr Evans Kiprotich, accompanied her.

Kurgat said the facilities offer outpatient care, child welfare clinics, postnatal services, antenatal care, family planning, laboratory services and fully stocked pharmacies. Patients can also access Social Health Authority services.

Dr Wangwe urged residents to embrace early health-seeking behaviour and routine clinic visits to prevent complications.

“Early diagnosis and continuous care save lives,” he said.

Governor Jonathan Bii said the county has made significant progress in improving access to quality healthcare, noting that 20 hospitals have been upgraded to operate on a 24-hour basis.

“Previously, only six facilities operated round the clock. We have now enhanced operations, deployed more staff and ensured adequate supplies,” Bii said, adding that full ambulance services have also been introduced.

He said the county will continue mobilising residents to register with SHA to improve access to affordable healthcare.