Migori governor Ochilo Ayacko has dismissed claims of drug and oxygen shortages at Migori County Referral Hospital after an impromptu inspection found the facility well stocked with essential medicines, a fully operational oxygen plant and key health infrastructure projects nearing completion.
Ayacko conducted the impromptu inspection to assess service delivery, monitor the progress of ongoing projects and verify reports alleging that the county’s main referral hospital had run out of medicines and oxygen.
“I have just completed an impromptu visit to our county referral hospital to inspect ongoing projects and assess the services being offered. The hospital is operating well, medicines are available, and the projects under construction are progressing as planned,” he said.
Among the projects inspected was the modern Health Products and Technologies Unit (HPTU) warehouse, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The governor said the facility will significantly increase storage capacity for medicines and other pharmaceutical commodities supplied to health facilities across the county.
“The current warehouse has served us well, but its capacity has been overtaken by the growing healthcare needs of the people of Migori. The new facility will enable us to store adequate medicines and pharmaceuticals for the entire county,” explained Ochilo.
Even as construction of the new warehouse continues, the governor noted that the existing store remains adequately stocked with essential medicines, dismissing reports that the referral hospital had run out of drugs.
Ayacko also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the hospital’s physiotherapy unit, saying the project is about 90 per cent complete and only awaits final fittings before it is commissioned.
Once operational, the expanded facility is expected to improve rehabilitation services for patients recovering from injuries, stroke and other conditions requiring physiotherapy.
He maintained that the hospital’s oxygen generation plant is fully operational and producing sufficient oxygen to meet demand.
“I have heard rumours that Migori County Referral Hospital has no oxygen supply. I can confirm without any doubt that our oxygen plant is fully functional. It produces about 1,000 litres of oxygen every hour, which is enough to meet our daily requirements,” Ayacko highlighted.
The inspection also established that services in other critical departments remain uninterrupted.
While expressing satisfaction with the state of the facility, the governor raised concern over the growing number of patients whose treatment had been affected by inactive Social Health Authority (SHA) cover after failing to remit their monthly contributions.
“We have found out that many patients have not maintained active SHA membership. Some only attempt to contribute after falling sick, only to discover that their cover has become inactive. We urge residents to keep their contributions up to date because illness comes unexpectedly,” he said.
He noted that the inspection reflected the county government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the delivery of healthcare services.
Ayacko added that ongoing investments in medical infrastructure, pharmaceutical storage and specialised treatment units, were aimed at improving access to quality healthcare, while assuring residents that Migori County Referral Hospital remains fully operational, despite claims of drug and oxygen shortages.
By Evetta Obuya and Vivian Ombeva
