Now patients who get fractures will be treated at the Makueni Referral Hospital after a new transformer was installed to power the imaging intensifier issued under the Managed Equipment Services (MES) from the national government.
The machine initially would not function due to the low voltage transformer that was installed, but now the image intensifier is working and patients can access specialised services at the hospital.
“The machine is the one used to give an X-Ray especially of a patient fitted with metal within the body following a fracture. The doctor uses the images to know whether the metal is well placed,” said Dr. Daniel Gichogo who is the Medical Superintendent at the hospital.
He said the CT scan machine that was also given under the same programme had been tested and will soon be handed over to the hospital.
“The CT scan machine was tested by the contractor and we expect it to be handed over to the hospital after addressing structural issues,” said the medical superintendent while talking to KNA on phone.
Contacted for comment, Makueni County Commissioner (CC), Maalim Mohammed said the new multi-agency approach to development had made work easier as officers fromboth the national and county governments work as team.
“I laud President Kenyatta for initiating the County Development Implementation Committee (CDICC) that brings together officers from parastatals, county and national governments. They approach issues from one point of understanding as was seen on this case of the transformer at our hospital,” said Mohammed.
The image intensifier has been lying unused for the past one year due to a low voltage transformer that was installed but would not power it.
However, last week Kenya Power installed a new transformer that has enabled the machine to function.
Consequently, the administrator disclosed that the Kako/Kathozweni irrigation schemes at Kyunyu and Miusinilocations will soon be installed with transformers to enable farmers to do irrigation.
The two schemes were to receive water from two bore holes that were sunk in 2017 but stalled to date over a faulty transformer that was installed last year.
“The KP has promised to fast track and ensure the transformers are installed by next week,” said Mohammed.
It should be observed here that the boreholes for the two irrigation schemes were sunk at a cost Sh. 60 million whereby each will have 20 farmers farm on a half an acre of land.
The farmers are eagerly waiting for the launch of the project since they are keen to fend for themselves to avoid handouts in terms of relief food from the government.
By Patrick Nyakundi
