NGPU March 1, 2024

Governor Susan Kihika’s Unannounced Visit to the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital

Written by Ruth Magak

Nakuru County Governor, this morning, executed an impromptu tour of the Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital in an effort to discover the true state of affairs at the devolved unit’s premier health facility.

Governor Kihika, whose an unannounced visit caught most of the hospital staff unawares, waived bills estimated at Kshs 1 million by some patients who had either overstayed at the hospital due to inability to pay or were not paid up members of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Speaking after the five-hour tour of the premier health facility in the County, Governor Kihika said:

“As we walked around, I got up with mothers whose kids have overstayed with the hospital because they are unable to pay the bills and have not registered with NHIF. In one case, a patient had a bill of Kshs60,000 but had raised Kshs20,000 through contributions and harambees, so I waived Kshs40,000. It is a sad situation.”

Governor Kihika, who was accompanied by MPs Samwel Arama (Nakuru Town West) and David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East) mingled freely with the patients and ground staff at various departments and key stations at the NCTRH. Also, in tow with the Governor were County Secretary Samwel Mwaura and County Health Executive Committee Member Roselyne Mungai.

In her early morning interactions, she engaged with patients listening attentively to their experiences to understand the satisfaction, quality, and efficiency of the services provided at the hospital. Governor Kihika toured the entire hospital during the five-hour visit, an evidence of a new era of leadership characterized by empathy, accountability, and dedication to patient-centered care.

During her visit, Governor Kihika addressed critical findings and initiatives aimed at enhancing the hospital’s capabilities and addressing systemic challenges. Governor Susan acknowledged Nakuru’s exemplary performance in processing NHIF and Linda Mama claims, despite facing financial constraints stemming from reductions in grants from the national level.

“One of the challenges we face is with the processing of NHIF payments. We are owed more than Sh500 million by NHIF and Linda Mama. We want timely payments so that the hospital can continue serving patients,” she said.

Despite these challenges, the county remained steadfast in its commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare services to its residents, within the existing Healthcare financing structures.

The hospital has remained afloat of still providing quality healthcare services to over 10 neigbouring counties as far as Kisii, Bomet, Kericho, Narok, Samburu, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Baringo, Kajiado, and Nairobi despite delayed reimbursements from NHIF and Linda Mama.

“I have noted an urgent need to expand the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity with a necessity of increasing the number of ICU beds to meet the growing demand for specialized medical attention,” she said.

Governor Kihika’s administration is addressing the pressing issues of managing pending bills totaling 1.6 billion over the past five years, that was accumulated before she assumed office.

Over and above, the governor’s emphasis on financial accountability and prudent resource management has provided for innovative solution aimed at addressing staffing challenges and enhancing service delivery.
The Governor promised to help unlock the Human Resources capacity issues that is grappling the hospital.