Patients suffering from upper respiratory tract infections lead the pack of those who visited Kiambu Level 5 Hospital from July to December 2019.
According to data obtained from the hospital by KNA on June 6, the outpatient summary of patients under five years showed that 2,363 were treated for upper respiratory tract infections.
During the same period, the number of adults who visited the hospital and treated for the same diseases was 2,775.
In children, the data revealed that diarrhoea emerged second with 948 patients, followed by other diseases of the respiratory system with 706 and diseases of the skin at 540 cases.
On the other hand, figures for adults indicate that urinary tract infections (UTI) came second with 2,378, diarrhoea third with 1,025. Other diseases of the respiratory system had 896 cases followed by suspected malaria at 819.
Speaking to KNA, the hospital administrator Eston Mbuthia urged residents not to shun seeking health services when they fall ill.
He said it was the duty of parents to monitor their children and ensure that any slight change in their health was noted and addressed at the right time, especially during the prevailing cold season in the region.
The administrator further cautioned residents against purchasing drugs over the counter from the mushrooming chemists in local towns without a prescription.
“Avail yourself and the children who are not feeling well in any of the primary health institutions so that they can be attended to by professionals who have the knowledge and experience of handling patients, Mbuthia noted.
Kiambu County Director of Meteorological Services, Ms Madgalene Gateri, warned locals against exposing themselves to the cold weather during this pandemic period.
She urged residents to dress warmly and continued tendering their farms so that they can boost their food reserves and stock available for markets.
There are three level five hospitals in Kiambu County, namely Thika, Gatundu and Kiambu. The county also boasts 13 level four 24 level three hospitals. In addition, the county also has 70 dispensaries.
Kiambu recently converted Tigoni Hospital into an exclusive Covid-19 treatment centre.
Only patients suffering from coronavirus will be treated at Tigoni Hospital.
All in-patients who had been admitted to the hospital wards were transferred to other facilities within the county.
During his address on Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta told the nation that the country had so far recorded 2,600 infections and 83 deaths and there was need to continue taking precautions of social distancing, wearing of masks and washing and sanitising of hands regularly so as to beat the disease.
