By Joel Clinton
Once a source of hope and pride for Kisumu West residents, Chulaimbo Hospital now stands as a shadow of its former self. For decades, the facility was known for its quality healthcare services, serving the people of North West Ward and nearby areas. However, what was once a symbol of excellence has deteriorated into a struggling institution marked by neglect, poor infrastructure, and inadequate services.
Today, residents describe the hospital as a place of frustration rather than healing. Patients often leave without treatment due to the ongoing shortage of medicines and medical supplies. Essential drugs are frequently unavailable, forcing families to seek care in private facilities they can barely afford. “You come here hoping to get help, but you are told there are no drugs or the lab machines are not working,” said one resident who brought her sick child to the hospital.
The facility presents a grim picture. Rusted beds, broken equipment, and filthy wards greet patients seeking care. Images from inside the hospital show broken furniture, stained floors, and poorly maintained areas, proof of years of neglect. Staff morale is reportedly low, with some health workers struggling to operate under difficult conditions.
Residents blame local leaders for the hospital’s decline, particularly the area MCA, Vincent Jagongo, whom they accuse of ignoring their pleas. Despite repeated complaints, little seems to have been done to restore the hospital’s previous standards. “This hospital used to be our pride, but now it’s a place of suffering. We need leaders who can act, not just talk,” lamented another resident.
The community is now calling on the Kisumu county government and the Ministry of Health to intervene urgently. They want the hospital renovated, restocked with medicines, and properly staffed to restore its lost glory.
As Chulaimbo Hospital continues to crumble, the people it once served are left to wonder how a facility that symbolized hope and progress fell into such disrepair and if anyone will step forward to save it before it’s too late.
