The Senate Health Committee has expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of Busia Level 4 Hospital, blaming it on negligence and mismanagement of public resources. During a recent inspection visit, senators discovered that despite millions of shillings being allocated to improve the facility, most of the funds appear to have been misappropriated, leaving the hospital in a dire condition.
The senators toured several projects in Busia County that have been flagged for potential misuse of public funds, including the Busia Level 4 Hospital and Busia Stadium. What they found was a clear case of stalled projects and poor service delivery, despite the heavy investment by the county government.
At the hospital, officials failed to provide convincing explanations regarding the allocation and utilization of funds. Projects such as the procurement of hospital electronic systems, the establishment of an ICU and dialysis unit, and the development of an oxygen plant have all stalled. There are also no functional ambulances, and the ICU and dialysis units remain non-operational despite millions being set aside for their completion.
The senators questioned why a feasibility study on the hospital’s ICU unit alone cost KSh 5 million, yet there is no tangible result. They also raised concern over the lack of medicine in the hospital pharmacy, a situation that has forced patients to buy drugs from private chemists that have sprung up around the hospital compound.
Another controversial expenditure highlighted was the payment of KSh 5 million for a consultancy to determine whether the hospital should be upgraded from a Level 4 to a Level 5 facility. Senators described the move as a misuse of public funds, noting that the funds could have been better utilized to address urgent healthcare needs.
In addition to the hospital, the committee also raised concerns about the stalled Busia Stadium project. Despite millions being allocated for fencing and infrastructure, the stadium remains incomplete, with little to show for the funds spent.
The senators vowed to hold those responsible for the county’s poor project management accountable. They called for immediate audits and corrective action to ensure that the people of Busia receive the quality healthcare services they deserve.
