One month after suffering a wave of Covid-19 infections among its staff and subsequent temporary closure of the hospital, Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH) has rolled out a resumption of services to the public that include outpatient services that is now operational.
Mother and Child Health (MCH), specialised outpatient (OPD) services as well as elective surgeries are expected to resume before the second week of December 2020.
LCRH Director Dr. Bonventure Ameyo confirmed that the hospital administration had agreed to implement a raft of Covid-19 containment measures so as to protect its staff and clients moving forward.
Ameyo said the Accidents and Emergency area will strictly be used for emergency purposes only and so is the emergency gate. Patients seeking outpatient services will therefore be served at the old OPD site.
The medic also clarified that the hospital will allow only one caretaker in the wards for immobile and critically ill patients.
All other patients will therefore be required to operate on their own as a way of reducing crowds and the imminent risk of cross exposure.
On access to services, Dr. Ameyo said the hospital had adopted “no mask no service approach” following a communique issued by the Council of Governors.
He insisted that face masks must be worn consistently and correctly at all times.
The hospital has deployed its public health team at hospital entries to sensitize the public on a continuous basis.
Apart from face masking, the hospital has embraced mandatory hand washing and placed requisite facilities with soap and clean water at vantage points in the hospital.
On visiting hours, the hospital has allowed only one visitor per patient in the morning hours from 6-7 am as well as midday from 1-2 pm. The evening visiting hour has officially been scrapped.
Additionally, the hospital has ensured that access to PPEs by all health care workers serving in the facility is a guarantee even as donning and doffing areas with strict adherence to infection prevention control measures are in place.
By Peter Gitonga
