Kwale residents demand better health services amid facility shortages, poor conditions

Residents of Kwale County are voicing their frustration over deteriorating healthcare services, calling on the county government to urgently address widespread deficiencies in local medical facilities.

Among the grievances are inadequate medical services, poor hospital conditions, and logistical hurdles that have driven many to seek expensive private care.

The outcry gained momentum on social media, where residents urged county officials to take immediate action.

The tipping point came when locals began to lament a power outage at Kinango Level Four Hospital, which had persisted for at least two weeks, forcing patients to rely on candles for light.

In interviews conducted by the Eastleigh Voice, residents shared harrowing accounts of their experiences, painting a grim picture of the challenges they face in accessing basic healthcare.

One resident, Jumbe Ali, claimed that last week, a person died from excessive bleeding after being involved in an accident just a few metres from Kwale Hospital. The individual, he alleged, was not treated in time.

"He was kept for more than five hours because the single theatre was occupied," he claimed.

Adding to that, Jumbe Ali recounted another incident where a patient was reportedly wheeled out of the operating theatre to make room for a woman who needed an emergency caesarean section.

"A relative needed minor surgery. But she was wheeled out. So you can imagine if both cases needed emergency attention," he added in allegations that the Eastleigh Voice could not independently verify.

Another local resident, Juma Mwamagadi, reported that he was directed to get an X-ray elsewhere after the one at Msambweni Hospital broke down.

"I once had to go to a private clinic for an X-ray because the machine at Msambweni Hospital was broken. This shouldn't be happening, especially at the largest hospital in Kwale," he said.

X-rays at a private clinic cost Sh2,500, which some people cannot afford.

"Some people are even forced to postpone treatment because of financial constraints. They are asked to get an X-ray, but because they do not have money, they just take painkillers," he said.

Chief nursing officer Msambweni Referral Hospital Hanifa Mwarora, chair Senate Health Committee Jackson Mandago and other Senators tour the facility on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Msambweni Referral Hospital, the county's largest medical facility, frequently sends patients to private hospitals or even as far as Makadara for essential services.

"We rely on public hospitals because private care is beyond our means. When we are directed to private facilities, it becomes unreasonable for many of us," Mwamagadi added.

Some residents even travel to Mombasa for treatment at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Mwanasha Ali recounted her recent experience at a county public hospital.

"After delivering a premature baby, I was sent to the Coast General because there are no incubators available in Kwale. It's very frustrating," she said.

Residents also raised concerns about local hospital conditions, with Mnyazi Masha describing the situation at Kinango Hospital as unsuitable for patients.

"We are forced to bring food for our admitted relatives because the hospital only provides two meals a day. The environment is disgusting, and we also face constant power outages without backup. We have to bring water for our relatives because the hospital often runs out," she lamented.

The lack of basic amenities extends beyond food and water. Patients and their families face significant difficulties due to frequent power outages and insufficient water supply at these hospitals.

"The situation is dire, and the conditions only add to the frustration," Masha added.

Moreover, the absence of cancer care facilities in Kwale forces patients to travel to Mombasa for screenings and treatment. Despite being major facilities in the region, both Msambweni and Kinango hospitals have faced criticism for their poor performance.

In June, the Senate's health committee, led by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, urged the Kwale County government to replace outdated medical equipment at Msambweni Referral Hospital.

"The equipment here is old and ineffective. It's about six years past its useful life and needs immediate replacement," Mandago stated.

Msambweni Referral Hospital, which serves as a referral centre for other sub-county hospitals, handles over 200 patients daily.

The hospital has faced ongoing issues with equipment breakdowns, including in its Intensive Care Unit, ultrasound, and radiology departments.

As residents and officials continue to push for improvements, the need for better healthcare services and improved hospital conditions in Kwale County becomes increasingly urgent.

A dilapidated road at Msambweni Referral Hospital. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)