The governor who conducted an impromptu tour of Murang’a general hospital which is the county referral hospital was shocked to find hundreds of patients who had been referred to private labs and pharmacies.
Patients complained that the hospital lacked basic drugs like de-wormers and that they are referred to specific pharmacies and labs for tests and medication.
“They have told me that they do not have re-agents to conduct tests on my stool and referred me to a certain lab in Murang’a town,” one patient said.
The hospital’s management was at pains to explain why the hospital did not have drugs only saying that a supplier had delayed delivery.
After interrogation, medics also revealed that some of the drugs patients had been told to buy in private pharmacies had alternatives that were available in the hospital.
“I do not understand why patients are being sent outside for basic lab tests and medications. I have seen a case where a patient was charged Sh. 10,000 for a test in a local lab. This is unacceptable,” Wa Iria said.
The governor noted that the county government has set aside Sh. 700 million for drugs and that there is no excuse for health facilities not to be properly stocked.
He threatened to sack medical superintendents of health facilities that will be found without sufficient medications saying they are punishing patients.
Wa Iria accused medics of colluding with private labs and pharmacies to get a cut for every patient they refer to them.
He said as a result, medics delay procurement of drugs and send patients to the private facilities to make extra money.
Wa Iria sacked officers in charge of the pharmacy but rehired them after patients pleaded with him to forgive them.
“This is corruption of the highest order and will not be tolerated. The next time I get complaints of lack of drugs, they will go home,” the governor said.
-Alice Waithera