UDF party leader Musalia Mudavadi has challenged county governments to prioritise reform in the health sector to combat heart, cancer and diabetes killer diseases.
Speaking at the weekend, Mudavadi said the diseases are silent but deadly as they affect an increasing percentage of the population who cannot afford healthcare due to lack of facilities and the cost involved.
He said the ailments are quietly taking toll on large segments of rural population because they are not diagnosed in time, and when they are, it is too late for treatment.
“Now that county governments are responsible for healthcare, they should urgently equip health facilities in their jurisdiction with diagnostic equipment, experts and medicines to stop the prevalence of these killer diseases taking toll of our people,” he said.
Mudavadi spoke when he visited ailing former trade unionist and MP Peter Fredrick Kibisu at his Sabatia home in Vihiga county. He said health providers should not delude themselves that these diseases are for the rich.
“Children from poor families are dying at birth due to curable heart ailments because facilities available are located in major cities. Private hospitals are too expensive for rural people to access,” he said.
Mudavadi cautioned county governments against extravagant budgets that seek the comfort of leaders at the expense of services to the electorate.
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