Vihiga county seeks to establish teaching and referral hospital

The Vihiga County Assembly is considering a Bill seeking to upgrade the Vihiga County Referral Hospital to a fully-fledged teaching and referral hospital.

If enacted, the Vihiga Teaching and Referral Hospital (VTRH) Bill, 2024 will enhance access to specialised medical services, train healthcare professionals, and conduct medical research.

The Bill was tabled by Lugaga Wamuluma MCA Fredrick Mavisi, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Sectoral Committee on County Health Services.

Speaking during the tabling of the Bill, Mavisi said that the new hospital would provide world-class healthcare services while creating employment opportunities and promoting medical research in the region.

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He said that the people of Vihiga deserve quality and locally available healthcare, and this bill is a step toward achieving that goal.

"The proposed hospital aims to address the current healthcare challenges faced by Vihiga residents, many of whom must travel long distances to Kisumu, Eldoret, or Nairobi to access advanced medical services," Mavisi said.

According to the Bill, the facility will offer specialised services such as intensive care, cancer treatment, renal dialysis, eye care, trauma care, and maternal health services.

It will also serve as a training and research institution, collaborating with medical schools and universities to train doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
This initiative is expected to bridge the gap in medical personnel while offering an opportunity in research on emerging health issues.

The hospital will also feature specialised units based on disease prevalence, age groups, and healthcare needs.

"These units will include a Cancer Treatment Center, a Cardiology Unit, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a Renal Unit for kidney disease treatment, a Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Center, and a Mental Health and Counseling Department," reads part of the bill. Each specialised unit will be well-staffed and fully equipped to ensure they serve as centers of excellence in their respective fields.

The facility will be an independent corporate entity with its own Board of Directors and management team, ensuring autonomy in decision-making, financial management, and operations.

To guarantee financial sustainability, the bill outlines multiple funding sources for the hospital, including county government allocations approved by the County Assembly, national government grants designated for healthcare improvements, and revenue from hospital services.

The Bill provides that once operational, the hospital will be positioned to become a leading medical institution in Western Kenya, with the potential to expand into regional healthcare partnerships.

Despite the ambitious plan, the proposal comes at a time when Vihiga County’s healthcare system has faced significant challenges. Complaints about poor service delivery and corruption among health workers have been rampant.

Patients seeking treatment at the current referral hospital have reported cases where some health workers demand cash before attending to them, while others display laxity in service delivery.

There have also been accusations of a lack of medical equipment and essential drugs, highlighting the urgent need for reforms.