MPs sound alarm over severe overcrowding at MTRH
Hospital management explained that the facility receives referrals from at least eight counties, including Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Nandi, and Kericho.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret is struggling to meet the demands of its growing patient population, with bed capacity falling far short of daily requirements, Members of the National Assembly have found.
The National Assembly Implementation Committee, led by Raphael Wanjala, began a two-day inspection of the hospital to assess how it is coping with rising patient numbers and the pressures of operating as both a referral and primary healthcare facility.
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During the visit, the committee toured several departments and held discussions with hospital management on staffing, bed availability, medical equipment, and patient services.
The legislators discovered that MTRH, with only 900 beds, manages approximately 1,500 outpatients and 1,200 inpatients every day.
This has pushed bed occupancy consistently above 110 per cent, with patients staying an average of nearly eight days, placing immense strain on resources and staff.
Hospital management explained that the facility receives referrals from at least eight counties, including Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Nandi, and Kericho.
In addition, the hospital serves patients from across East and Central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cameroon, highlighting its regional significance.
Despite the heavy patient load, the hospital has achieved key milestones. It has performed seven successful open-heart surgeries and established a 24-hour trauma theatre, reducing waiting times for emergency cases.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) covers 80 per cent of patients, ensuring many families can access care despite the pressures.
The MPs commended the management for maintaining services under such challenging conditions.
They pledged to push for increased budget allocations to ease the strain caused by overcrowding, inadequate beds, and high demand for specialised medical care.
The committee’s second day at MTRH will include a detailed engagement with management, focusing on updates regarding the implementation of resolutions from the report of the Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity on employment diversity in public institutions.
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