'Outsiders' blamed for long hospital queues in Kiambu County

Patients queue at Kiambu District Hospital. The government says the long queues are as a result of patients from outside the county seeking treatment. [Photo: John Karume/Standard]

Kiambu County government is complaining of an influx of patients from other counties to its hospitals.

It alleges that the county hospitals have been receiving patients from neighbouring counties leading to congestion and overstretching medical personnel and drug supply.

Thika District Hospital attends to patients from Matuu and other areas of Machakos County.

It also receives a high number of patients from Kandara, Gatanga, Kenol and Maragua in Murang'a County.

Kijabe Mission Hospital, the county argues, treats patients from Mai Mahiu and Naivasha in Nakuru County, as well as others from Nairobi and Kajiado counties.

Governor William Kabogo further argued that Kiambu District Hospital has been treating patients from Kahawa West, Githurai 44, Kasarani, Kariobangi, Ngong, Matuu, Embakasi, Dandora, Kamulu and Kangundo.

Mr Kabogo has on several occasions said he will approach his Nairobi counterpart Evans Kidero to see how they can cost share to purchase medication.

He also wants to do the same with Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and his Murang’a counterpart Mwangi wa Iria since a big percentage of those who receive treatment at the Thika Level Five come from their counties.

"We are asking Nairobi County or the national government to address the issue as we cannot cope with the numbers (patients) from Nairobi. We have to buy twice the medication we need, the number of births are five fold,” said Kabogo.

Health Executive Jonah Mwangi said he is intending to meet his counterparts in Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado and Murang’a in order to address the issue before the situation gets out of control.

Dr Mwangi said the hospital personnel were being overworked adding that the county was being forced to purchase extra medication in order to meet the demand.

“For the last five days, Kiambu Hospital has delivered 222 mothers, but of the number, 154 were from Nairobi. Only 68 were from this county," he said.

According to Kiambu Hospital Medical Superintended David Kariuki, the hospital sometimes receives more than 1,000 patients in a single day; 60 per cent being from other counties.

“We cannot turn away a sick person. This forces patients to share beds sometimes since we have no alternative,” said Dr Kariuki.

A visit to the health facilities revealed that they are indeed congested.