Relief to Kanduyi residents as Lusaka launches new dispensary

KANDUYI, KENYA: Hundreds of Kanduyi residents will no longer be struggling to access affordable medical care following the launch this morning of Butieli Dispensary, Kanduyi Constituency.

Speaking during the function, Governor Lusaka said the facility will offer out-patient, laboratory, maternal and child-health services. Others include family planning, anti-retro viral therapy and maternity.

"My goal is to ensure that all of the Bungoma residents have access to affordable medical care. Let's work together," said the Governor. 

Kanduyi leaders and residents lauded the Governor for the move, saying health is the foundation of development in any society. 

"We have had to travel a long distance, in most cases to Bungoma town to get medical attention. Governor (Lusaka) now deserves our votes in the August polls because of such developments," said Andrew Wekesa, a BodaBoda operator in the area.

Since assuming power in 2013, the Bungoma County boss has initiated key projects in the health sector, which he says seeks to make the region a "hub for accessible and high-quality medical care".

"We want to rid our dependence on facilities in Eldoret, Kakamega and Nairobi. Being as strategic as it is, Bungoma's ultra-modern medical care will even see Ugandans, Rwandese, Burundians and South Sudanese seek out services," he said.

In the past four years, the Lusaka Administration has invested heavily in the county's medical care. Before devolution, the Governor says Bungoma did not have a proper pediatric wing. 

Lusaka last September launched one of the ultra-modern renal units in Kenya. Analysts say the renal unit has a big relief to the people of Bungoma County, who had to be referred to Eldoret for dialysis services. 

County Medical Director Sylvester Mutoro says in the past, an average of 20 patients a day had to be referred to other medical facilities for dialysis, which they will typically attend twice a week. 

"An average cost per dialysis session is between Sh5,000 and Sh8,000. This was quite expensive to many people. But with the operationalisation of the renal unit in Bungoma, this saves the county of these huge medical and travel costs," observes Dr Mutoro.