Wamalwa Kijana Hospital Reports Rising Patient Numbers as Specialised Healthcare Services Expand in Trans Nzoia

Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality and specialised healthcare services as patient numbers continue to rise, dismissing concerns about its operational capacity and urging members of the public to seek accurate information about the facility.

The hospital's management maintains that the facility is fully operational and continues to serve patients from across Trans Nzoia County, neighbouring counties and parts of Uganda. The hospital offers a range of medical services aimed at improving access to specialised healthcare within the region.

Hospital Administrator Rose Wepuhulu Wangila said the facility was experiencing an increase in patient numbers, with daily admissions pushing its inpatient population beyond the officially approved bed capacity.

According to Wangila, the Level Four hospital has an approved capacity of 258 beds, as recognised by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), but is currently accommodating more than 300 inpatients.

She said the growing number of patients reflected increasing demand for the hospital's services and demonstrated public confidence in its healthcare provision.

“We are seeing more than 300 patients admitted against our approved capacity of 258. This shows that many people trust this facility, and we need to engage KMPDC to review our bed capacity,” Wangila said.

The administrator maintained that the hospital had a team of qualified doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals providing services across its departments. She noted that the development of specialised medical units had significantly improved the facility's ability to manage complex medical conditions and reduced the need for patients to seek treatment outside the county.

Among the specialised healthcare services available at Wamalwa Kijana Hospital are renal care, intensive care unit (ICU) services and surgical procedures.

One of the key developments in the hospital's expansion of specialised healthcare services is its adult medical Intensive Care Unit, which was opened earlier this year.

Speaking during a visit to the unit, Dr Irma Kirui said the ICU had a three-bed capacity and was supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising hospital administrators, nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals involved in managing critically ill patients.

She explained that the unit receives patients from across the region, including neighbouring areas and, in some cases, Uganda.

Dr Kirui emphasised that the ICU was accessible to members of the public requiring intensive medical care, particularly residents of Trans Nzoia and surrounding counties.

She also highlighted the availability of health insurance options, noting that the facility accepts Social Health Authority (SHA) cover alongside other insurance arrangements.

According to Dr Kirui, the hospital has made access to intensive care more affordable, with patients not required to make deposits before receiving services.

“The unit is open to all members of the public from Trans Nzoia and anyone in the region who may require intensive care services. We accept SHA and other insurance covers, and our services are affordable. We currently do not require deposits for services,” she said.

The ICU's multidisciplinary approach is intended to ensure that critically ill patients receive coordinated medical attention, with different healthcare professionals contributing to their treatment, monitoring and recovery.

Patients receiving treatment at Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital have also shared their experiences, highlighting the medical attention, communication and support they have received during their hospitalisation.

Elizabeth Muthoni, who had spent approximately one month at the hospital, described her experience as positive, saying she had received supportive care from healthcare workers during a period when her condition was particularly serious.

She said she initially arrived at the hospital in a critical state and experienced difficulties communicating because of the severity of her illness.

Muthoni praised the medical team for the attention and compassion shown to her throughout her treatment, noting that the way healthcare workers interacted with patients had contributed positively to her experience.

She also compared her experience at the facility with an earlier hospitalisation in Ward Seven, saying she had found the care and communication at Wamalwa Kijana particularly reassuring.

“I was received very well. They were kind to me and took good care of me. The way they talk to patients and handle us has made me appreciate their work,” she said.

Muthoni expressed gratitude to the healthcare team, saying the attention she received had made a significant difference during her recovery.

Another patient, Edwin Barasa, said he had experienced considerable improvement since being admitted to the hospital after arriving in a wheelchair and being unable to walk independently.

Barasa, who was admitted on a Friday, said his condition began improving after undergoing medical examinations and starting treatment.

He said he could now walk, attend to his personal hygiene and perform routine activities without assistance.

“When I arrived, I was in a wheelchair because I could not walk. However, after undergoing tests and starting treatment, I began noticing changes. Today, I can walk on my own and take care of myself,” he said.

Barasa also commended the hospital's emergency department for encouraging him to remain admitted for further examination rather than simply receiving medication and returning home.

He explained that he had previously experienced persistent swelling in his legs and difficulty walking but had not received a satisfactory explanation of the underlying problem despite visiting other healthcare facilities.

Following further medical investigations at Wamalwa Kijana Hospital, he said doctors ruled out gout and suspected septic arthritis. He was also informed that his kidney function was satisfactory.

Barasa said the medical team took time to explain the findings and his condition, helping him and his family better understand the treatment process.

He noted that the explanation had eased his concerns and reassured his family about the care he was receiving.

“I was worried when I came here because I thought my condition was getting worse. But the doctors examined me, explained what was happening and started treatment. Today, I can walk and do things for myself. I am grateful for the care I have received,” he said.

His experience, alongside that of other patients, highlights the importance of timely medical assessment, appropriate treatment and effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients.

Wangila also addressed concerns regarding the availability of medicines and the hospital's hygiene standards, assuring the public that management remained committed to maintaining an environment conducive to treatment and recovery.

She said the facility had recently received a pharmaceutical consignment valued at Sh10.7 billion, although the reported figure requires further clarification from the hospital regarding the value and scope of the consignment.

On hygiene, the administrator said management continued to prioritise cleanliness and proper maintenance of the hospital environment to safeguard patients, healthcare workers and visitors.

“We are committed to ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality of services so that they can recover and return to their families,” she said.

Wangila further urged the public to distinguish between verified information and unsubstantiated claims, maintaining that healthcare delivery should remain a professional responsibility rather than become a subject of political contestation.

She attributed the hospital's growth and expansion of specialised services to support from the county government under Governor George Natembeya, particularly investments in healthcare personnel and specialised medical services.

Saboti Sub-County Medical Officer of Health Eric Wasilwa said Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital had become an important component of healthcare delivery in Trans Nzoia County.

He noted that the availability of specialised medical services, including intensive care and renal treatment, had reduced the need for patients to travel to Eldoret and other towns for treatment that could now be accessed closer to home.

Wasilwa said the hospital's emergency department was supported by specialised personnel to facilitate timely assessment and management of patients requiring urgent medical attention.

“The services that previously required patients to be referred to Eldoret are now available here. This has significantly reduced treatment costs and enabled residents to access specialised care within the county,” he said.

He also acknowledged the role of the county government and development partners in supporting the expansion of medical services, including the establishment of additional operating theatres.

According to Wasilwa, continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, specialised personnel and medical equipment was essential to strengthening the hospital's capacity to serve the growing healthcare needs of the region.

The hospital's management says it remains focused on improving healthcare delivery, strengthening specialised departments and ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate medical attention.

With the establishment of the adult medical ICU, availability of renal services, surgical capacity and an expanding multidisciplinary healthcare workforce, Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital continues to strengthen its role in providing specialised healthcare within Trans Nzoia County and the wider region.

Management has encouraged members of the public to utilise the available medical services and obtain information directly from the hospital through its official communication channels.

The facility says its priority remains the provision of accessible, affordable and quality healthcare, with the wellbeing and recovery of patients at the centre of its operations.