The Senate Standing Committee on Health, led by Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, has raised serious concerns over conditions at the Kitui County Referral Hospital following an oversight visit on Wednesday.
Joined by members of the Kitui County Assembly Committee on Health and Sanitation, chaired by Hon. Bernard Mwangangi Munyasya (Mwingi Central), the senators toured the facility to assess healthcare delivery and identify bottlenecks hampering operations.
The delegation began with a courtesy call on Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe before inspecting key departments, including the radiology and renal units, general wards, newborn unit, mortuary, pharmacy, and drug store.
During the visit, the lawmakers interacted with health workers and patients who described the daily challenges of operating in an overstretched facility.
The committees observed overcrowded wards, with reports of up to six patients sharing a single bed, and poor record management that has hindered efficiency in service delivery.
One of the most critical issues highlighted was the delay in reimbursements from the Social Health Authority (SHA), a situation that has disrupted hospital operations and strained its ability to maintain essential services.
Senator Mutinda emphasized that the visit was not a witch-hunt but a fact-finding mission aimed at identifying sustainable solutions. “We are here to understand the real issues affecting the hospital and work towards improving healthcare delivery for the people of Kitui,” she said.
Other senators present included Kisii’s Richard Onyonka, Bungoma’s David Wakoli Wafula, and Lamu’s Joseph Githuku Kamau.
The committee is expected to compile a comprehensive report with recommendations to both the county and national governments, aimed at improving funding, infrastructure, and service quality in the region’s health facilities.
