Senate flags staff shortages, poor maintenance in County hospitals

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 18 – The Senate Health Committee has raised concerns over staff shortages, underutilised funds, and poor maintenance in public health facilities following an oversight tour across several counties.

The team, led by Jackson Mandago, inspected facilities in Nakuru County, Baringo County, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, and Nandi County, where it cited overcrowded wards and long patient queues linked to inadequate staffing.

“We need sufficient personnel and adequate equipment in our health facilities to guarantee quality healthcare,” Mandago said.

Lawmakers also flagged weak utilisation of the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF), urging county governments to grant hospital managers more control over the funds to address urgent service and infrastructure gaps.

Counties were further asked to clear pending debts owed to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to stabilise the supply of drugs and medical equipment.

During the visit, Richard Onyonka pointed to Kiambu Level 5 Hospital as an example of cost efficiency, citing its use of solar power to reduce operational expenses.

However, he cautioned that poor maintenance of equipment continues to undermine service delivery and called for the establishment of maintenance systems within hospitals.

Senators also raised concerns over neglected facilities despite increased health sector funding, with Chemitei Cheburet citing Kimelel in Baringo as an example where resources have not translated into improved care.

The committee further urged increased registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that delays in remittances are affecting hospital operations.

Additional concerns included congestion in mortuaries, partly attributed to police cases, with lawmakers proposing separate facilities to ease pressure on hospitals. The continued presence of asbestos in some health facilities was also flagged as a major health risk.

“We cannot claim to be fighting cancer while exposing patients and staff to cancer-causing materials within our own facilities,” Mandago said.

The committee is expected to compile its findings into a report for tabling in the Senate.