Nakuru county prides itself as having one of the most elaborate and advanced health sectors in the country

With over 450 health facilities spread across the 11 sub counties, the health department is one of the largest devolved functions in the county serving a vast population of more than 2.2 million people within the county and beyond.

However, despite the massive investment, the sector has been grappling with a number of challenges which have hampered service delivery. These include shortage of staff and drugs, inadequate space as well as complaints of poor service delivery.

Also Read: Mother mourns death of 10-month old son, blames PGH for negligence

The county has one level 5 hospital, 14 level 4 and 5 hospitals, 22 health centres, 187 dispensaries as well as 249 community units offering level-one health services

Nakuru county teaching and referral hospital is the largest level five hospital in the south Rift serving patients from Nakuru, Baringo, Nyandarua and Laikipia counties.

Having benefited from the state of the art equipment under the Managed Equipment and Supplies programme (MES), the facility has been offering specialized health services including dialysis, palliative care, surgeries, mental health and maternity services.

The regional cancer centre in Nakuru cost Sh 1 billion to construct and equip.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Since devolution, the sector has been given special attention by the successive regimes as it forms a major income generator for the county.

Massive investment has been made to the various departments including the development of theatres, renal unit, oncology center as well as modern maternity wing.

The county health services report released in January 2023 indicates that the health docket has been getting an average of 35 percent of the county’s budgetary allocation.

For the financial year 2022/2023 the health docket received 39 percent of the total allocation which translated to Sh 7.6 billion.

Governor Susan Kihika in her Sh 17 billion budget for the year 2023 dubbed the ‘Mwananchi’ budget allocated Sh 6.8 billion towards the health docket, translating to about 40 percent.

The devolved unit has on numerous occasions been forced to respond to various issues raised by different groups concerning the rendering of services at the hospitals.

A number of users of the facility have often come out to condemn what they claimed to be an issue of negligence at the hospital which the hospitals have always denied.

Read: Negligence Reports Darken Kihika's Shiny Health Promises

Last month for instance, a prolonged outcry from the public over poor services at the Naivasha Sub county hospital saw Members of the county assembly Health committee led by chairman Njuguna Mwaura visit the facility.

It later emerged that the facility was reeling from a serious staff shortage and lacked proper medical equipment and medicines.

On the other hand, the challenge of inadequate staff has also been attributed to poor service delivery at the various facilities.

A shortfall of 815 staff across all cadres annually is said to be putting pressure on existing workforce, and consequently, negatively affecting the provision of the much needed essential services.

While the hospital heads claim to be trying their best, the county has always maintained its determination to streamline services in the facility.

In efforts to deal with the shortage of medicines Governor Kihika has been flagging off consignment of drugs and medical supplies to the various hospitals across the county.

Read: Reprieve as county distributes Sh45m medical supplies

She has also announced the decision to introduce digital systems to track the movement of drugs at the hospital.

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Related: Health on Trial: Patients recount painful memories, claim negligence of Nakuru hospitals

Health on Trial: Nakuru's well-funded health sector with poor service delivery

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Joseph Openda