Services at Machakos Level 5 hospital are gradually collapsing even as Governor Wavinya Ndeti stormed the hospital for a unspecified mission.
Notwithstanding , Health Minister Daniel Yumbya and Gov. Wavinya today called a Media conference to deny that the hospital was crumbling. They made no reference of a self explanatory letter from the medical Superintendent that gives a user inside view of the state of the hospital.
Dirty linen at the laundry
Incognito: A camouflaged Gvn Ndeti tours Machakos L5 facility
The situation at the facility is best stated by the outgoing Medical Superintendent Dr Benjamin Nzomo, who has reportedly been not only transferred but also demoted after detailing the pathetic status in a letter dated January 25,2024.
The letter to the Director of Medical Services is aptly tited : " Hospital in crisis due to lack of commodities". Highlighting the communication as of 'outmost urgency and importance, Dr Nzomo lists four reasons as the contributor of the crisis: - Inconsistent,untimely and inadequate supplies of health products and supplies needed.
"Among the sizeable number of major challenges in the delivery of health services in Machakos Level 5 hospital is the inconsistent, untimely and inadequate supply of health products and supplies needed in the facility. This has been the case for the big chunk of last calendar year except on short spells when KEMSA or MEDS supplies land"
He contnued "The magnitude of the crisis at hand is as follows:
ICU: We have interrupted services here and cannot admit patients due to complete stock outs of critical items such as HME and bacterial filters, catheter mounts, perfusor lines, breathing circuits etc
Radiology: There is very little service delivery here as there are no ultrasound gel and thermal paper, contrast for CT Scan and films for x-ray and CT Scans.
Food & Ratios: The framework supplier is adamant not to provide additional ratios for dry foods and vegetables henceforth owing to delayed payment since September, 2023.
No food stuff for patients as from tomorrow 26th January, 2024 and patients risk missing meals.
Theatres: services are bound to be interrupted from today due to absence of many items including, X-ray gauze, haemostat spones, HME’S for pediatric and adults, sutures etc.
Additionally, general anaethesia agents such atracurium, suxamethonium, nitrous oxide are lacking.
Wards: Nasal progs, non-rebreather masks, infusion sets, catheter, strapping etc are basic suppliers that are unfortunately out of stock.
Renal Centre: Many challenges abound here including unserviced machines, lack of concentrate, bicarbonate etc
Oncology Department: For sometimes the staff here have been exposed to toxic oncology drugs as there is no N-95 masks in stock.
The Hospital Management Team (HMT) sitting bon 17/1/2024 rated the current performance of the facility at a mere 10% (Minutes of the meeting attached), mostly occasioned by these frequent stock-outs for commodities and the demotivation of the staff as a consequence. Watching this deterioration in the level of services and care is not only hear-breaking but also tantamount to tolerating it.
Kindly note that we have in the past and even currently continue to develop and timely transmit requisitions to the relevant offices to facilitate supply but nothing is forth-coming.
We are left to engage loyal local suppliers for limited supplies to continue running the hospital but this option is no longer feasible as we have accumulated substantial credit with them.
This is to let you know the facility is at critical point as departments are slowly closing down due to commodity shortages. This is a clear sign of an impending collapse!" ,the Medsup concluded.
The letter is copied to
CECM –HEALTH Dr Daniel Yumbya and the Chief Officer-Medical Services- Dr Miyenda.
