Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has ordered private clinics near public hospitals to close.
At the same time, Mutua sacked health workers who were on duty when a man assisted his wife to deliver in the open at Kyeleni Health Centre in Matungulu sub-county recently.
He cautioned public health workers that owning or operating private health facilities compromised their work effective service delivery.
The governor, who presided over the opening of the Matuu operation theatre yesterday, said the provision of quality and efficient healthcare cannot happen if health workers are not properly managed and facilitated.
Mutua said any Machakos health worker who wishes to own or work in a private clinic must obtain a letter of "No Objection from my government".
“The law and regulations are clear on the issue of proximity of private clinics, pharmacies, laboratories to a public health facility. No such facilities within a kilometre of a Machakos County health facility. Such facilities near government health centres have up to May 31 to either close or relocate,” he said.
On the new Matuu theatre, he said, “I am glad that the theatre was used for a successful procedure this morning minutes before I arrived. A baby girl was delivered through caesarean section on mother Monicah Mwikali."
He promised that the theatre will be staffed and resourced adequately.
“My government will by end of this month employ more health workers to ease work load. We will also have short term contracts to ensure proper coverage of all medical points. By end of April, 2019, we will have improved the working environment of our health workers to international standards.”
The governor accused the sacked workers of gross misconduct. "Their supervisors have been suspended pending disciplinary hearings," he said adding that a similar fate would befall Thinu Health Centre workers for absconding duty.
Mutua said any Machakos health worker who wishes to own or work in a private clinic must obtain a letter of "No Objection from my government". They then have to obtain a permit from the medical board.
The governor will tomorrow announce more changes to streamline health provision in in the county.
