Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi remained defiant over any possible talks with sacked doctors despite calls from the medics’ union and leaders to allow them resume work.
Muriithi defended his Health docket, saying that in the last six months it had served 766 outpatient cases from dispensaries and in the two level-five hospitals, Nyahururu and Nanyuki.
Further, 14,000 patients were admitted, 6,828 children immunized across the county while 1,334 major surgeries and 660 minor surgeries were conducted.
In the maternity wings, 6,723 babies were delivered, 1,331 of them through caesarian section.
The governor, who was speaking after opening a Maternity Wing at Nturukuma Dispensary in Laikipia East, said that the facility is the 15th in the county, as he moves to being services closer to the people.
On the doctors’ strike and understaffing issues caused by the sacking of 62 specialists, Muriithi said the county still has nine specialists, 28 medical officers, 19 pharmacists, 114 clinical officers and 454 nurses to depend on.
The governor said the county has started recruitment of 82 personnel of various cadres following the signing of the Universal Health Care program last week with the Ministry of Health.
His comments came few days after Kenya Medical Practitioners and Doctors Union South Rift Treasurer Joseph Manani called for a “ceasefire”, urging the county government to consider having talks with the affected medics.
Manani said Laikipia residents had been forced to seek medical services outside the county but, as a union, they are ready for talks.
Nanyuki Ward MCA Veronical Muthoni urged the governor to consider their plea since locals are suffering.
