Outgoing Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba has finally launched the Sh1.5 billion 400-bed capacity Trans Nzoia Teaching and Referral Hospital (TTRH) which will begin its operations by treating non-communicable diseases.
Speaking while launching the facility, Khaemba said the hospital will enable residents to get all services when fully equipped with doctors specializing in various areas.
Inpatient services already installed in the facility are a state-of-the-art accident and emergency department, dental clinic, eye clinic, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, and surgical among other services.
Other departments are outpatient, diagnostic, smart healthcare facilities, and teaching hospitals.
The facility will create job opportunities for over 300 clinical staff, 100 support staff and an internship program for around 500 to 1000 students expected to serve patients mostly from Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Bungoma and parts of Western Uganda.
Governor Khaemba said his administration has involved the Moi University School of Medicine through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the training of postgraduate specialists in the fields of family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and child health, radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and general orthopedic surgery.
Governor Khaemba said since he took over the county leadership, his administration has increased the number of health workers from 607 to 1,368 and specialized doctors from 34 to 93.
He added that the TTRH could have been completed a long time ago if opponents had not been frustrating him in court.
He challenged the incoming administration to gear up for the expansion of health facilities in the county, including Kitale County Referral Hospital, which requires urgent attention.
Mike Musungu is a reporter at Radio Simba in Bungoma and a correspondent of Trans Nzoia County for the Western Kenya Times.
