Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria on Thursday ordered his executive in charge of health to relocate his offices from the County government headquarters to the County hospital for closer supervision.
The Governor visited the hospital where he issued a strong warning to medical officers in the county hospital who had the habit of referring patients to specific private labs.
"We have Sh 700 Million to buy medicines and equipment and so there is no reason for doctors to refer patients to private clinics for drugs.
"I have seen a case where a patient was charged Sh10,000 for a test in a local lab. This is unacceptable," he stated.
[caption caption="Murang'a governor Mwangi wa Iria at Murang'a general hospital "]
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He thereafter directed the Health CEC to relocate to the hospital where he would be held directly responsible for any misappropriation in the facility.
"Murang’a General Hospital has now been elevated to a level five hospital and any referral done should be to a national referral hospital," the Governor added.
When interviewed, patients confirmed that doctors had indeed referred them to private facilities for basic tests and to buy drugs whose alternatives were available in the hospital.
“They have told me that they do not have reagents to conduct tests on my stool and referred me to a certain lab in Murang’a town,” one patient conveyed.
During the impromptu tour of the General Hospital, the Governor threatened to sack medical superintendents whom he accused of colluding with private pharmacies by delaying procurement of drugs so as to make an extra coin.
“This is the corruption of the highest order and will not be tolerated. The next time I get complaints of lack of drugs, they will go home,” he affirmed.
[caption caption="File image of Murang'a General hospital"]
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