By Christopher Omondi.
The residents of Central Seme ward, in Kisumu County, have raised concerns over the poor services being provided at Lolwe Health Centre, a level 3 basic health facility that was established in 2016 along Namba Kapiyo Bodi Road.
Despite being in operation for that period, the facility is still failing to provide basic medical services, including pharmacy services, laboratory services, emergency services, and maternity services.
Accessing the hospital is also becoming a problem for the residents, as most access roads leading to the hospital are in a bad state. According to residents, the staffing at the facility is very low, and this is evident in the delays witnessed in getting services and the referrals to other facilities.
“When you go to this facility, they don’t have drugs, and mostly refer patients to a pharmacy in Lolwe Center. The hospital also has no wards or maternity theatres and beds, referring the patients who need the services to other medical facilities. The emergency services are also poor, as there are no general theatres to deal with accidents and injuries. The laboratory services are also poor, as the facility lacks important equipment to facilitate effective operations. The facility’s adherence to infection prevention and control guidelines, including hand washing, waste segregation, and injection safety, is also poor because the community is not well-informed on the services offered at the facility, and the health promotion materials, such as mosquito nets and condoms, that are used for disease prevention, are not accessible to the public. Finally, this hospital has failed to explore the role of community health volunteers and workers in promoting health equity and supporting the facility’s services.”, said Philemon Mwango.
The facility can still resume its operations, at least according to Esther Alila, who feels a few things can be streamlined to enhance effective operations.
“The Ministry of Health should provide the facility with the necessary equipment, such as delivery beds, blood pressure machines, and other basic tools. They should also aid in the recruitment of skilled healthcare workers to address staffing shortages. Community outreach and awareness to promote health awareness and disease prevention. Finally, collaboration with organizations that address specific health challenges, like the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), which is just here in Kombewa, to access funding, expertise, and resources to improve its service delivery, increase patient satisfaction, and enhance the overall health and well-being of the community it serves.
