MPs give thumbs up to MTRH for Sh400m expansion

 

The National Assembly Committee on Health has given Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital a clean bill of health for prudent use of Sh400 million allocated for its expansion.

During a tour of the Eldoret-based hospital, committee chairperson Sabina Chege said they were satisfied with the use of the money to set up an oxygen plant, among other equipment. Chege said they would allocate more funds to the hospital to increase its ICU units.

“From what they have done, the hospital and others in the region will now have adequate oxygen and better facilities,” she said.

Last week, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwa commissioned a new oxygen plant and seven other projects as part of the expansion of the national referral facility, which serves 23 counties in the western part of the country.

The oxygen plant will produce 2,000 litres per minute to boost the high demand for oxygen for the care of Covid-19 patients.

Other projects are a data centre, ICT network upgrade, radiotherapy equipment, Chandaria Cancer and Chronic Diseases Centre, and the Nawiri and Recovery Skills Centre.

The hospital requires more than 40 extra ICU beds to effectively handle a high number of patients. It has more than 1,000 beds. 

Its CEO, Dr Wilson Aruasa, said it should have at least 100 ICU beds. Currently, it has 60. Aruasa said the Covid-19 situation had also caused pressure on the ICU facilities, hence the need for more.

The hospital is seeking support from partners to put up more ICU beds. It has completed piping of oxygen to its 1,000 beds to improve emergency services.

Dr Aruasa said the move was to ensure all patients receive high-quality services, including those suffering from Covid-19.

“The piping of oxygen to all beds ensures that we give patients the best care and try to save lives even before a patient is taken to an ICU if such need arises,” he said.    BY THE STAR