The Embu County Government has waived hospital bills amounting to Sh2.6 million for 16 patients admitted at Embu Level Five Hospital in celebrations to mark 100 years since the facility was established.
The beneficiaries are needy patients who have been treated and lacked money to clear their hospital bills but now will be discharged on Monday following the waiver.
Speaking on Saturday during the colourful centenary anniversary celebration held at the facility, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire pledged to transform the hospital into a world-class referral facility.
She painted a vivid picture of a facility that was for years on the deathbed with demoralised staff, no medicines, broken laboratories, collapsed oxygen systems, no food for patients, and wards where families had to bring their own blankets.
“When I took office, Embu Level 5 was practically dead. Patients suffered without medicine, staff were demoralized, and mothers delivered in deplorable conditions,” she narrated.
She continued, “Today, this story has changed. We have breathed life back into this hospital, and we are determined to make it one of the best referral hospitals in Kenya.”
The Governor highlighted her administration’s achievements in turning around the facility, with one of the interventions being clearing crippling debts owed to medical suppliers.
She said the hospital had accumulated more than Sh150 million in debt with KEMSA and a similar amount with MEDS, effectively paralysing supplies.
On the issue of staff welfare, which had long been neglected, the Governor said her administration has cleared Sh588 million in salary statutory deductions and committed to staff promotions within the current financial year to boost their morale.
She also reported that the hospital’s surgical capacity has been significantly expanded, with two maternity theatres in operation and the main theatres increased from two to four.
Additionally, she said Sh18 million laparoscopic machines are also being procured, and diagnostic services are equally strengthened with new X-ray and ultrasound machines, alongside modern dental chairs.
She reported that a CT scan is expected to be installed next week, followed by an MRI machine, further broadening the hospital’s diagnostic capacity.
Governor Mbarire also noted that oncology and renal care services have been scaled up, with the renal unit being fully equipped, with dialysis sessions supported by the Social Health Authority costing Sh10,600per session.
On revenue collection, the county boss reported that in the 2024/25 financial year, the hospital recorded Sh478 million in revenue, with over Sh300 million generated from Social Health Authority claims, leaving the hospital in a much stronger fiscal position.
By Samuel Waititu
