Siaya to improve paediatric ward, hospital morgue

Siaya County Referral Hospital emergency wing. [Olivia Odhiambo, Standard]

Governor James Orengo's administration has started an ambitious project to improve the Siaya County Referral Hospital.

The ill-equipped paediatric ward has been dealing with a large number of patients despite the falling ceilings, broken windows, and blocked sinks, toilets and bathrooms.

The county government's planned rehabilitation of the ward includes increasing the bed capacity in the pediatric ward from 60 to around 100 and installing piped oxygen.

Health Executive Martin Konyango acknowledged that the paediatric ward had been in a bad state but noted that the face-lift will improve health outcomes for the children.

"The conditions the patients and their parents were being subjected to were wanting. The working environment of the staff in the unit was also poor thus affecting their morale," said Dr Konyango.

Dr Konyango said some of the rooms were not habitable thus reducing the ward's bed capacity.

"With the renovation of the ward by the county government, all these issues have been addressed. The working environment is now much more pleasant, and staff productivity has improved," he said.

Meanwhile, the county referral hospital plans to rehabilitate the morgue.

The county government has already purchased modern cold room storage equipment to enhance the facility's service delivery.

Chief Officer for Governance Walter Okelo said that the new equipment would ensure that the dead are treated with the respect they deserve at the morgue.

The storage capacity for bodies will increase from 24 to 48.

The new equipment will also improve the hospital's ability to conduct thorough and accurate post-mortem examinations, providing essential information for legal and medical purposes.

The county government said that this investment demonstrates their commitment to improving healthcare services and respecting the dignity of the dead and their families.