Leaders from West Pokot County have called for the sacking of the Health CEC Dr. Nicholas Atudonyang due to poor health services in the County. The leaders decried the poor service delivery and poor management at Kapenguria County referral Hospital and other health centres in the County, following earlier complaints by residents as previously documented.
They called on the County Government to improve health services in the County to avert death and referrals to other major hospitals in other Counties. The leaders said that the CEC for health who doubles up as the Deputy Governor has been conducting his tasks from another foreign nation, leaving the department ailing. This comes after noted maternal and child deaths increased in the County. Eight mothers lost their lives while delivering since the year started, three mothers died last week and eight infants died in the incubator after there was a power outage due to accrued electricity debt in Kapenguria County Hospital.
Speaking at Karas AIC Church, area MPs David Pkossing (Pokot South) Ms. Lillian Tomitom (West Pokot woman representative) and Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria) blamed the County government for presiding over ‘deplorable health services’ at the main referral hospital. The leaders gave a one-week ultimatum to the County government to quickly repair and intervene in the matter to improve the health services in the hospital. “He must relinquish the position if he knows that he can’t stay in Kenya and work for residents,” said Pkossing “We hear that there is a go slow at the hospital.”
They accused the County government of allegedly failing to curb the miserable health situation at the facility. Pkossing urged the leadership of the County and particularly West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo to take over full leadership in the County. County MP Lilian Tomitom called on the County government to pay attention to patients’ needs adding that health workers are clashing with the County government. She called on the Governor to appoint another health CEC to avert deaths. “We have many qualified people in the County who can streamline the health sector,” she said.
On his part, Mr. Moroto pointed out that the Kapenguria County Hospital is faced with a lot of challenges. “There is no generator, no water, no houses for doctors and they lack beds and an ICU, thus, there are delays,” he said. Rev John Lodinyo blamed the current County administration for the mess in the health sector. “Dr. Atudonyang should choose between being Deputy Governor or being a foreign citizen. He shouldn’t play with residents’ minds, by being here in a week and departing the following week,” said Lodinyo.