By MN Reporter

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga on Wednesday commissioned a CT Scan machine worth Sh 45 million to reduce the pressure of sending patients to other hospitals for test as plans to boost healthcare gains momentum.

Until the new machine was commissioned on Wednesday, patients in Homa Bay had to travel to other counties to get scanning.

Patients were mainly referred to hospitals in Kisumu, Kisii and Migori counties which was costing up to Sh 8,000 for a patient to use an ambulance from Homa Bay to another county to get a CT scan with up to 20 patients are referred to other hospitals everyday.

“Patients would spend over 100,000 just to move to other counties. We have cut the cost,” she said.

The governor added that the machine is a state of the art and can handle 100 patients every 24 hours.

“We will attend to patients from the county and from other countries. The previous administration led by former governor Cyprian Awiti managed to acquire an MRI machine under the Medical equipment leasing project but the two machines have to work together,” Ms Wanga said.

Residents expressed joy saying they will be relieved of spending money to seek medical care in other counties.

Mr Kennedy Adams, a resident of Karachuonyo Constituency had plans to take his sick mother to Kisii for CT scan.

“I got information that a CT scan machine is now in Homa Bay. It will help reduce the cost of medication,” he said.

Wanga also opened a new comprehensive outpatient unit constructed and equipped at Sh26m.

The unit is among other projects Governor Gladys Wanga has successfully put in place in the first 100 days after she took oath of office in August.

The facility will ease congestion at the old building that was previously used as the out-patient and emergency unit

Until the new machine was commissioned on Wednesday, patients in Homa Bay had to travel to other counties to get scanning.

Patients were mainly referred to hospitals in Kisumu, Kisii and Bomet counties.

According to Wanga, it costs up to Sh 8,000 for a patient to use an ambulance from Homa Bay to another county to get a CT scan.

She said up to 20 patients are referred to other hospitals everyday.

“Patients would spend over 100,000 just to move to other counties. We have cut the cost,” she said.

The governor added that the machine is a state of the art and can handle 100 patients every 24 hours.

“We will attend to patients from the county and from other countries. The previous administration led by former governor Cyprian Awiti managed to acquire an MRI machine under the Medical equipment leasing project but the two machines have to work together,” Ms Wanga said.

Residents expressed joy saying they will be relieved of spending money to seek medical care in other counties.

Mr Kennedy Adams, a resident of Karachuonyo Constituency had plans to take his sick mother to Kisii for CT scan.

“I got information that a CT scan machine is now in Homa Bay. It will help reduce the cost of medication,” he said.

Wanga also opened a new comprehensive outpatient unit constructed and equipped at Sh26m.

The unit is among other projects Governor Gladys Wanga has successfully put in place in the first 100 days after she took oath of office in August.

The facility will ease congestion at the old building that was previously used as the out-patient and emergency unit