Facts vs Gossip: No TB Patients Sharing Beds with Others - Clarifies Koki, Highlights Health Sector Milestones

Waziri Koki and health COs during the presser 

Our Reporter

The County Ministry of Health and Sanitation has dismissed misleading social media reports alleging that tuberculosis (TB) patients are sharing beds with non-TB patients at the Kitui County Referral Hospital (KCRH).

Addressing the media Saturday afternoon, County Minister for Health and Sanitation, Ruth Koki, termed the claims as grossly malicious, noting that Governor Malombe’s administration remains committed to delivering efficient, equitable, and quality healthcare services to all Kitui residents.

“I wish to clarify that no TB-infected patient is sharing a hospital bed with a patient who does not have TB, as has been peddled by some people on social media,” Waziri Koki, said during the press briefing.

She was flanked by her Chief Officers Dr. Benson Musyoka (Medical Services), Aggrey Kamba (Drugs and Medical Supplies), and Lynn Kitwan (Public Health).

Senate committee visit twisted by vultures 

Misinformed online vultures thirsty for cheap publicity had twisted a recent visit by the Senate Health Committee to the referral hospital to spread malicious gossip and half-baked stories about the state of the facility.

The minister explained that TB patients are only admitted when they have severe or complicated conditions, or when they experience serious drug reactions.

 “Even then, they are isolated in well-ventilated wards,” she clarified.

We have challenges, Yes...

Koki, however, acknowledged existing challenges largely caused by delayed disbursement of the equitable share from the Exchequer and delayed settlement of Social Health Authority (SHA) claims.

She noted that these financial constraints have stretched the county’s health facilities, leading to congestion, particularly at the maternity ward where mothers are sometimes forced to temporarily share beds.

These financial gaps, she said, have also affected hospital operations, including procurement of medical supplies, reagents, drugs and timely delivery of patient care, especially for high-cost services such as surgery and dialysis.

“While this is not our desired standard of care, as a compassionate health system we cannot turn away mothers or patients in need of medical attention,” Waziri Koki stated.

Public Confidence in Healthcare 

She revealed that the maternity department currently has a bed capacity of 32 against an average daily workload of 54 mothers.

 “This congestion is largely attributed to the increased patient workload, which reflects the growing public confidence in our healthcare services following sustained reforms across the county health sector,” she added.

To address this challenge, Koki announced that the County Government has budgeted for the completion and equipping of a 276-bed capacity Mother and Child Health Block, expected to be completed by the end of the 2026/2027 financial year.

“This move is meant to effectively decongest the existing wards and ensure that patients do not share beds,” she said.

New Mammogram Machine, MRI on the way 

Additionally, the county plans to procure a fully digital X-ray machine to replace the aging one, a new mammogram (LOT 3) machine to replace the broken unit, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine for KCRH. A CT scan will also be installed at Mwingi Level IV Hospital.

On the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), the minister said the county has made notable progress in registration and service delivery, with enrolled patients no longer paying at the point of care.

She further assured that the county will continue the timely procurement of drugs and medical consumables from KEMSA and other authorized suppliers to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

Key Milestones in the Health Sector

Since the start of the current financial year, Governor Malombe’s administration has operationalized 16 new dispensaries, including Sosoma, Masavi, Kimela, Katumbi, Kanguu, Kasangu, and Gatoroni, among others. The county plans to operationalize 25 more dispensaries before the end of the financial year.

Other health milestones since 2023 include the operationalization of specialized units such as the ICU, High Dependency Unit (HDU), Cancer Centre, and Hemophilia Clinic.

Dialysis Machines procured 

The County Government has also procured two additional dialysis machines for KCRH and two for Mwingi Level IV Hospital, established a modern Newborn Unit at KCRH, and initiated construction of the South Eastern Kenya Renal Centre.

At Mwingi Level IV Hospital, the County Government has set up an Oxygen Supply Plant.

To strengthen healthcare delivery, the ministry will soon recruit 200 additional healthcare workers across all cadres, Waziri Koki revealed.