Vihiga Teaching and Referral Hospital (VTRH) Chief Executive Officer, Titus Mumia, in a radio interview, gave a progress report of the VTRH on various sectors over a couple of months, acquiring a level V status.
Speaking during the interview at Vihiga FM, Mumia acknowledged that his relationship with the hospital’s staff had, over time, improved as most of the staff had aligned with his terms of working conditions and continued to build goodwill with the hospital community and the public.
Mumia stated that the new hospital status meant that services have been expanded, citing the hiring of a neurosurgeon, expansion of the maternity unit and additional specialists in various departments, among other capacity enhancements.
“We have been granted be semi- autonomy by the County Assembly through the advice and vision of the Governor, meaning we can now make our own decisions as a hospital without involvement of a lot of people but with the County Government still dealing with the Human Resource of the hospital’s staff,” explained Mumia.
The CEO highlighted that the hospital currently has a total of 10 dialysis machines, up from one, and is targeting 16 machines, which would be a record-breaking achievement for the hospital in comparison to other hospitals in Western Region.
“All the patients that used to travel to other counties for dialysis can now access treatment at the hospital,” noted Mumia.
Mumia also confirmed that when he first came to the hospital, there were challenges of oxygen supply which have been resolved and that currently the hospital had enough oxygen.
He noted the hospital has been experiencing a surge in the number of patients, leading to a shortage of vital drugs, a challenge he said would now be over as they had received a consignment of drugs worth nine million.
The CEO revealed he was in contact with Members of the County Assembly to increase funds allocated for the purchase of medicine in the hospital in order to serve the public efficiently.
Mumia further revealed that the hospital’s revenue collection had also improved immensely, surpassing a revenue target of Sh149 million to achieve Sh254 million after streamlining revenue collection methods and sealing corruption loopholes.
With regard to the ongoing nurses strike, Mumia said that he has made sure that there is continuous service delivery to patients by exploring measures to ensure that the hospital remains operational.
“Striking is part of the rights accorded to any worker to air out their issues, but I also deeply believe in negotiations, and therefore as a CEO, I plead with the National Government to have a sit-down with the Council of Governors and resolve the issue and for the nurses’ union to be a bit considerate because the public is the most affected by this,” explained Mumia.
He revealed that a recent free obstetrics/gynaecology surgical camp was very successful, having attended to more than 250 women within the five days, with 47 undergoing major surgeries.
He urged Vihiga residents to support the reforms being undertaken in the hospital since it is for their own benefit and urged them to submit any complaints to him adding that his office open to receive progressive ideas.
Mumia expressed optimism by working with the Governor to leave a lasting legacy on the Vihiga health sector.
By Yvonne Misango and Florence Oteng’o
