This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
June 23, 2020 - Hospitals in Kirinyaga County are in a deplorable state, with doctors being forced to kill snakes in the operating theatre before performing surgeries, an expert has revealed.
According to Dr. Gor Goody, an official of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Union (KMPDU), Governor Anne Waiguru has neglected hospitals and medical officers, leading to a crisis in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Goody testified during the hearing of Governor Waiguru's impeachment at County Hall, stating that a surgeon was forced to kill a snake before operating on a patient.
He also accused Waiguru of neglecting health facilities, citing the closure of over 30 dispensaries due to lack of funds. This has forced patients to seek help from nearby counties.
At Kerugoya County Referral Hospital, harmful waste is disposed of inside the hospital, posing a risk to patients and health workers. Some health workers have contracted diseases in hospitals.
Dr. Goody further accused Waiguru of firing competent support staff and hiring new people without proper training, leading to a decline in the quality of healthcare services.
He concluded that Kirinyaga is a health hazard, and the situation needs immediate attention.
The County Assembly also put Kirinyaga Health CEC Agnes Gachoki on the witness stand, who testified that she was forced to resign from her job after Waiguru refused to fund hospitals and told her to shut down dispensaries.
