Kilifi County addresses dialysis machine issues at Malindi Sub County Hospital

Kilifi County government has officially acknowledged problems with dialysis machines at Malindi Sub County Hospital, following complaints raised by patients in recent days.

In their response, the county stated that certain components necessitated replacement, and they have already placed an order for these parts from Nairobi, with delivery expected soon.

The county administration said that as a result there would be delays in providing dialysis treatment to patients due to the limited number of functioning machines.

A statement from the Kilifi County Department of Health read in part, “In the past week, a number of dialysis machines within our healthcare facilities encountered technical difficulties. We immediately enlisted the assistance of technicians from the company responsible for installing these machines. Since the weekend, they have been diligently working to identify and rectify the problems that arose. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

The county stated that the escalating demand for dialysis services prompted them to take preemptive action.

“Additional machines have been ordered and are scheduled to be delivered within this quarter. Our unwavering commitment remains steadfast in delivering high-quality healthcare services to our community, and we value your understanding during this temporary disruption.”

Previously, patients at the hospital expressed concerns, stating that the majority of them cannot pay the Sh12,000 per session imposed by private health institutions, leaving the Malindi Sub County Hospital as their only feasible alternative.

They stated that the issue began last year when five of the hospital's dialysis equipment failed. Despite the county government's installation of three new machines, only one is functioning. However, this system is not completely functioning because it needs a dialyzer.

The Kilifi County government has promised the public that they are committed to fixing these difficulties quickly and ensuring that all patients receive the care they require.