Bungoma County government has called on area residents to make use of lower health facilities before seeking the same services in referral hospitals.
Addressing the press conference on the County health status, Bungoma County health and sanitation CECM CPA Chrispinus Barasa stated that majority of patients are seeking health services at Webuye County Hospital and Bungoma Referral Hospitals yet such services can be found at level 2 and 3 as well as level 4 across the County.
“Dispensaries, health centres and sub county hospitals provide services that are covered under SHA, visit them for initial check-ups and if the issues persists they can be referred, this will help reduce congestions in the referral facilities,” he said.
CPA Barasa pointed out that the bed occupancy in referral facilities in the County are overstretched and strained because it serves not only patients within the county but also from the neighbouring Counties.
He called on the CHPs to mobilize the residents to register in large numbers with Social Health Authority (SHA) as at now we stand at 45%(751,757) of 1,670,570, he commended CHPs for doing good work and encouraged to continue as they are our greatest drives of quality health care.
“We recognize the challenges in delays in terms of SHA reimbursements and we are working closely with SHA office to resolve any matter that require our attentions to ensure funds flows as expected to guarantee proper health care services,” he said
He was in the company of the Director health and sanitation Dr Caleb Watta and a section of County Health Management Team (CHMT) members.
