Trans Nzoia to set 400 bed facilities in hospitals
Trans Nzoia county governor Patrick Khaemba Saturday said his administration was prepared for any upsurge of Covid-19 cases, even as it emerged 2 new cases had been reported in Kwanza sub-county.
He said the National Treasury had released Sh.117 million which will go a long way in helping with any possible spike in infections.
"My administration established a 32-bed isolation ward at the Mount Elgon Hospital and I'm happy to report that we have acquired 5 ventilators and 5 ICU beds which will help us minimize any challenge’’, he said.
Speaking to People Daily at the county's teaching and referral hospital during a routine check-up, the county boss said his administration was racing against time setting up 400 beds from the expected 300.
"We are kindly appealing to President Kenyatta to give us two more weeks to finalize the process in readiness for opening since the funds we have are insufficient,’’ he added.
He said Kitale county hospital which was built by colonialists in 1937 had around 367 bed capacity with mount Elgon which was reverted into an isolation wing having 32 beds.
‘’In our efforts of beating the 30 days deadline, we will be launching a 400-bed capacity isolation and treatment center at the Teaching and referral hospital to handle cases of coronavirus’’, he said.
Khaemba said the county which borders neighbouring Uganda is not so much at risk of more infections but cautioned locals living in other Towns against travelling to the county.
He however cautioned residents against entertaining divisive politics which he said had caused delay in completion of his flagship projects.
He added that a commitment from the World Bank and the National Treasury will be a major boost to the opening of the referral and teaching hospital albeit in a phase to cater for coronavirus patients.
"Counties have insufficient funds to sustain the fight against the coronavirus and this is why we are encouraging home-based care for asymptomatic cases. This is the reason we are asking the national treasury to speed up the release of funds,’’ he added.
He said his administration had expanded Kitale Teaching and Referral Hospital ICU capacity from 16 to 36 beds to help cater for more patients who need such services.
He added that more medical personnel had been hired in readiness for coronavirus in the county, and appealed to the residents to take seriously the ministry of health guidelines of handwashing, keeping social distance and wearing masks.
