By Nyang’au Araka
Nyamira County has unveiled a major expansion of dialysis services that is set to bring life-saving treatment closer to patients and ease pressure on the County Referral Hospital.
The move comes months after concerns emerged over long queues, overstretched facilities and the high cost of accessing renal care for patients across the county, as reported in an exclusive report carried by KPC in April (see link after this story).
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The intervention comes at a critical time for renal patients who, until recently, endured long queues, overcrowded treatment spaces, costly travel and uncertainty over whether they would receive life-saving dialysis sessions on time.
In April, KPC investigations revealed a renal unit operating under intense pressure, with authorities promising that action was being taken.
Although the facility had eight dialysis machines, only a few were consistently functional due to ageing equipment, breakdowns and maintenance challenges.
Nurses worked extended hours to keep services running as patients from all five sub-counties converged on a single treatment centre at the County Referral Hospital.
Some patients reported arriving at the hospital as early as 3 a.m. in an attempt to secure treatment slots.
Others were forced to seek services in private facilities in Kisii Town or travel even farther, increasing the financial burden already associated with managing kidney disease.
The findings painted a picture of a health service struggling to cope with growing demand despite the dedication of healthcare workers and county efforts to keep the unit operational.
Now, the county government has responded with what many patients describe as a game-changing investment.
Governor Amos Nyaribo on Wednesday announced plans to establish new dialysis units at Masaba Level 4 Sub-County Hospital in Keroka and Ekerenyo Sub-County Hospital, with each facility set to receive ten dialysis machines during the current financial year.
The governor made the announcement while commissioning a newly expanded dialysis unit at Doctors Plaza within the County Referral Hospital.
The facility has already received ten additional dialysis machines, increasing the number of working machines from three to thirteen and boosting the hospital’s capacity to conduct up to 26 dialysis sessions daily.
The renal unit has also been relocated from the general wards to a larger and more modern facility equipped with a nursing station and other essential amenities designed to improve patient comfort and service delivery.
For many patients, the developments signify the possibility of reclaiming time, reducing costs and receiving treatment with dignity closer to home.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Nyaribo said the county was determined to bring services closer to residents and reduce pressure on the referral hospital.
“I request patients with renal complications to get services closer to them. My Administration will buy 10 more dialysis machines in this fiscal year to address medical needs of renal patients,” he said.
The governor noted that once the planned expansion is complete, the County Referral Hospital will have 23 dialysis machines while the new units at Masaba and Ekerenyo hospitals will each have ten machines.
For years, kidney patients from distant areas such as Borabu, Manga and Ekerenyo have had to travel long distances several times every week to access treatment at the county headquarters.
Dialysis patients often require multiple sessions every week, meaning transport costs quickly accumulate even before factoring in medication, laboratory tests and other medical expenses.
The KPC investigation established in April that some patients were paying additional costs because insurance coverage under the Social Health Authority does not always meet their full treatment needs.
Others incurred expenses seeking services in private facilities whenever delays occurred.
By taking dialysis services to sub-county hospitals, many of those costs are expected to reduce significantly.
Patients who attended the launch ceremony spoke emotionally about how the additional machines have already improved their lives.
Joseph Omwando said the increase in dialysis capacity has eliminated the anxiety that previously accompanied treatment days.
“We’ve been struggling to get to the hospital by 4 am due to fewer machines and long queues. Thanks to the Governor for the additional new dialysis machines. The service at Renal Unit is now top-notch,” he said.
Omwando praised healthcare workers at the unit and said the improvements were visible to anyone who visited the facility.
“Let the doubting Thomases come and see what is going on at Nyamira Referral Hospital. The hospital is clean and medical services have improved greatly. Thank you Bwana Gavana,” he added.
Another patient, Julius Bosire, recalled the difficult journeys he previously made in search of treatment.
“I used to travel all the way to Nairobi, but now I can get the services closer home which is much less costly,” he said.
For Elizabeth Kwamboka, the changes mean freedom from exhausting night travel.
“I used to wake up at 3:30 am to travel to this hospital to avoid long queues. It was a burden, especially with my child whom I had to travel with at night. Now, services are prompt and easier,” she said.
The county government is also addressing another concern highlighted during investigations — the shortage of specialised renal expertise.
County Director of Medical Services Dr Jared Oeba said two renal clinicians have completed specialised training to strengthen patient care and improve management of complex kidney cases.
“With enough machines and modern equipment, Nyamira’s Renal Unit is poised to become a beacon of hope for kidney patients across the region,” said Dr Oeba.
The expansion marks one of the most significant investments in specialised healthcare services in Nyamira since devolution introduced dialysis services to the county.
Before then, patients often travelled to major towns such as Nairobi and Eldoret for treatment.
-Additional reporting and photography by the Governor’s Press Unit (GPU), Nyamira
