Tharaka-Nithi Governor, Muthomi Njuki, has dismissed claims that Chuka Teaching and Referral Hospital is in a poor state, accusing some political leaders of tarnishing the facility’s reputation for their own interests.‎

‎Njuki urged residents to disregard reports that patients were dying or receiving poor services at County Hospitals, saying the claims were misleading and could create unnecessary public alarm.‎

‎Speaking to journalists at his office in Chuka town, Tuesday, the Governor said the County government had continued engaging health workers, to address their concerns and improve service delivery.‎

‎He said the County government had, over the past three to four months, held consultations with doctors and specialists working in the County and fulfilled its obligations under their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).‎

‎“The doctors and specialists have no complaints. We have addressed the issues that they raised and fulfilled what was required of us,” said Njuki.‎

‎He added that clinical officers and nurses had also received the risk allowances they had demanded, arguing that it was, therefore, misleading for leaders to claim that health workers were dissatisfied or that services in County hospitals had collapsed.‎

‎The Governor said he had personally visited Marimanti Level Four Hospital, Magutuni Level Four Hospital and Chuka Level Five Hospital without prior notice, to assess service delivery and establish the actual situation on the ground.‎

‎He, however, acknowledged that Marimanti Level IV Hospital faced service-delivery challenges, describing the situation at the facility as wanting compared with the other two hospitals.‎

‎Njuki said the County government had made changes in the Medical Services Department, to address identified gaps and improve healthcare delivery.‎

‎He defended the changes, saying they were intended to improve efficiency and ensure residents received better healthcare services.‎

‎“Change is good when it is intended to improve services. We have made changes in the Medical Services Department, to ensure that we address areas where there were gaps,” he said.‎

‎The Governor challenged political leaders to separate politics from healthcare, warning that allegations about deaths in County hospitals, could undermine public confidence in health facilities.‎

‎He assured residents that the County government remained committed to improving healthcare services and urged them to seek clarification from relevant authorities, instead of relying on rumours.‎

‎Njuki said the County government would continue monitoring health facilities and taking corrective measures wherever gaps in service delivery were identified.

By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori‎