The issue of patients sharing beds in public hospitals in Kilifi County is greatly contributing to the ailing of the health sector in the County.
This problem is rampant at three main hospitals that include the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, Malindi and Mariakani Sub County hospitals where patients also suffer due to a lack of enough drugs forcing them to buy from private pharmacies.
Mrs. Margaret Kilalo whose patient was referred to Malindi Sub County hospital from Mariakani Sub County hospital says that the lack of equipment and critical health care at the public hospitals was making medication costly for many residents.
For Mrs. Kilalo, it is even worse because despite her patients being referred, she still has to get dialysis services in private clinics within Malindi town yet her patient is admitted to Malindi Sub County hospital.
“My appeal is that our governor should also look at the Mariakani hospital because we were referred here for dialysis but the problem is that there are services that are not here forcing us to seek them outside which cost us Sh. 3,000 after every two days without adding the cost of transport,” she says.
She adds that sharing of beds is also aggravating the situation. Her sentiments are echoed by Mrs. Esther Kadzo who appeals for more beds and wards in the hospital.
“My neighbor fell from the bed at night because she was unable to turn since they are sharing beds, more beds should be added,” she says.
The hospital’s Medical Superintendent Job Gayo acknowledged the challenges saying that it is not practicable to send a patient home because the beds are few.
“We can’t send an inpatient patient home yet they need closer supervision; that is why we are forced to make use of the limited resources. I call upon the Governor to help construct more wards so that our patients do not share beds,” he said.
He also adds that digitization of hospital records is needed since the paper-based system is very slow and outdated adding that in the digital system, what a patient will need is only the registration number hence reducing the cost of buying books.
“What makes us refer patients to Mombasa and other places is the lack of equipment such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and CT scan. If we get them I am very sure you will not hear us sending patients for referrals and, we also have an acute shortage of staff,” he says.
The hospital also faces challenges of inadequate drugs for critical diseases which force patients to purchase externally.
During a tour of the facility on Friday, Governor Gideon Mung’aro said that his administration will address the shortcomings by providing enough drugs and equipment.
He also said that poor patients with medical bills will be discharged after thorough scrutiny of their family background.
“Those patients with bills but not able to clear them will be released after scrutiny from their areas so that we ensure only the poor ones benefit,” he said.
Join our community and solve the Puzzling fun with our range of crosswords
We are building some fun puzzles to put your problem-solving skills to the test and we want you to have a blast while you're at it!
Share your email and we’ll serve up new puzzles with your morning coffee.
Do you want to help shape the features we prioritize? Take a Survey to help us understand what matters to you most
Begin SurveyAM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
This is Daily Politics. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.
