The Ministry of Health and Kakamega County Government have stepped up discussions on the operationalisation of Kakamega Level Six Hospital, with focus on the facilities and resources needed before it begins offering services.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga met a delegation from the county government, led by Health Services County Executive Committee Member Dr Livingstone Imbayi, at Afya House in Nairobi on November 9.
The talks also focused on preparedness of the hospital, which included the facilities, equipment, staff, finances, and the organizational set up to run the hospital successfully.
Both parties also talked about how the new hospital will operate in conjunction with the current Kakamega County Referral Hospital to prevent any overlapping of services and to enhance the referral process.
According to Oluga, the National and the County Governments should coordinate their plans and make sure that the hospital is well equipped with adequate equipment and health workers.
He noted that investments in health infrastructure should lead to better access to healthcare and efficient service delivery, in line with ongoing reforms under the Taifa Care programme.
The Principal Secretary also called for improvements in lower-level health facilities, saying stronger primary healthcare services and better use of data were important in building an integrated health system.
The Ministry of health pledged to continue working with the county government to address the remaining requirements and fast-track the hospital’s operationalisation once preparations are complete.
The hospital is expected to expand access to specialised healthcare services in Kakamega and the wider Western Kenya region.
The meeting was attended by Kakamega County Chief Officer for Public Health Rose Muhanda, Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr David Alilah and Dr Stephen Wandei.
Representing the Ministry of Health were Dr Hezron Omolo, Head of Infrastructure, Projects and Grants Management, and Engineer Martin Owino.