Eugene sheds tears over state of Teso hospital

SABOTI MP Eugene Wamalwa shed tears at the weekend when he came face to face with the pathetic situation at the maternity wing of a Teso North hospital.

Eugene found women queuing for the only bed in Angurai Health Centre used for delivery. The MP could not but shed tears at the grim reality at the health institution in Amagoro constituency. “Imagine queuing for a basic service of delivery?" Eugne said. "The two principals have surely let Kenyans down and they should own up for the lip service offered at the country’s health institutions.”

Area MP Sospeter Ojaamong was not present but his deputy in the Orange Democratic Movement, Peter Ipara was with Eugene. Others present were Councillor Charles Odera and parliamentary aspirants Emman Ekirapa and Fred Papa.

Eugene promised to prevail upon Public Health and Sanitation minister Beth Mugo to accompany him to the institution to see for herself the shame that is the facility.

The MP also complained of the failure by the government to provide essential services like water and electricity at the health centre. This, he said, has subjected women and children to intolerable suffering.

Patients complained of drugs shortage with patients being forced to pay for even services that are supposed to be free like malaria treatment for children less than five years.

The delivery and laboratory charges are exaggerated, the patients said. They also complained of laxity among the hospital staff saying nurses and clinical officers report for duty at 9am signing off at 3pm.

Eugene also accused police in Western Kenya of harassing innocent Kenyans especially busaa and chang’aa drinkers. “In Uganda, citizens take busaa, a traditional brew and waragi (chang’aa) without intimidation contrary to the Kenyan situation where wananchi part with at least Sh5,000 bribe. “It is no wonder most police officers in the region have grown big tummies because of fleecing innocent citizens who should be left to carry on with their small bushinesses unmolested,” he said, and promised to petition police commissioner Mathew Iteere over the conduct of his officers.