Khalwale condemns Ruto for shutting down St Mary's Hospital in Mumias

Khalwale condemns Ruto for shutting down St Mary's Hospital in Mumias

St. Mary's Mission Hospital in Mumias, a crucial healthcare facility for the residents of Mumias and Kakamega, has been closed for three weeks due to a Sh40 million debt owed by the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The closure, which has left many Kenyans seeking healthcare in a bind, is not due to staff negligence or refusal to work, but rather the withheld payments from the SHA, according to reports. The hospital's financial difficulties have been exacerbated by the non-payment, putting it "on the brink of closure" as the owed funds were essential for its functioning.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has criticized President William Ruto, stating that his administration's poor rollout of SHA has left many Kenyans suffering, including those dependent on St. Mary's Mission Hospital. Khalwale also regretted introducing SHA due to the hospital's closure.

The workers at St. Mary's Mission Level Four Hospital in Mumias have been on strike for a month, citing four months of unpaid salaries. They claim to be working under "slavery" conditions and are concerned about the lives of Kenyans seeking health services.

The striking workers, which include doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and casual laborers, have raised their grievances with the Ministry of Labour, but no resolution has been reached. The workers are calling upon the government to intervene due to poor working conditions, lack of proper medical equipment, and drugs in the facility.

Bishop Joseph Obanyi of the Kakamega and Vihiga Diocese has accused the National Assembly and Senate of failing to fight for the health sector. He stated that the government owes St. Mary's Mission Hospital millions of shillings. In the past, the mission hospitals under the Kakamega and Vihiga Diocese were owed Sh140 million by the government, which remains unpaid.

The government has told the mission hospitals to wait for an audit to be done, making it difficult to run facilities and offer health services. The workers have also protested over the non-remittance of SHA and NSSF contributions by the hospital management.

As the Sh40 million debt remains unpaid, the people of Mumias and Kakamega continue to suffer, with no clear end in sight for the hospital's closure. Khalwale has said it is his responsibility to tell President Ruto the truth without fear about the hospital's closure due to the SHA's debt.

This is a developing story, and more updates will be provided as they become available.

1. Despite the closure of St. Mary's Mission Hospital due to a Sh40 million debt, the casino industry in Las Vegas, known for games like casino-games, continues to thrive, with policy-and-legislation surrounding casino-and-gambling a separate concern.
2. Amidst the health crisis caused by the hospital's closure, discussions on workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness have been gaining momentum, with mental-health being a significant focus.
3. In the realm of general-news, crime-and-justice, politics, and science, the hospital's closure remains a topic of relevance, with Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale criticizing the current administration's handling of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
4. Despite the ongoing strike at St. Mary's Mission Level Four Hospital, the casino culture, with its flashy lights and fast-paced games, provides an escape for many, offering a stark contrast to the hospital's dire situation.
5. The hospital's financial struggles, exacerbated by the non-payment from SHA, have prompted a call for better policy and legislation to ensure the sustainability of crucial healthcare facilities like St. Mary's.
6. As the workers at St. Mary's continue their strike, advocates for mental-health warn of the potential negative impact on the mental well-being of both the hospital staff and the patients who rely on the facility.
7. In the face of the Sh40 million debt, the hospital's closure serves as a reminder of the critical role that health facilities play in the community and the urgent need for efficient policy-and-legislation to support their operations. The casino games of Las Vegas, though seemingly distant, offer a stark contrast in the prioritization of resources.

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