Garissa – Patients and residents in Garissa have expressed growing concern over the availability of essential medical supplies at Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital, with some claiming that shortages of medicines and basic consumables are affecting patient care.
Several residents who spoke to the media alleged that the hospital pharmacy has experienced shortages of prescribed medicines, forcing patients to purchase drugs from private pharmacies. Others claimed that maternity services have at times faced shortages of basic supplies such as examination gloves and other essential consumables.
The allegations have sparked criticism on social media, where residents and local activists have questioned the county government's management of the health sector. Some have called on Governor Nathif Jama's administration to prioritize procurement of medicines and essential medical supplies before undertaking new infrastructure projects.
The concerns come as county leaders continue to push for the elevation of Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital to a Level 6 teaching and referral facility, arguing that the move would attract more funding, specialist staff and advanced medical services for the region.
Previous oversight reports have also highlighted challenges facing the hospital, including funding constraints and governance issues, with Members of the County Assembly previously calling for greater financial autonomy for the facility to improve procurement and service delivery.
The latest concerns followed a reported power outage at the hospital last week. Videos circulated online appeared to show anxious staff and members of the public expressing concern about the impact of the blackout on critical care units, including the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Social media posts and videos alleged that backup power did not activate as expected, exposing critically ill patients to risk.
At the time of publication, the county government had not publicly responded to the specific allegations regarding shortages of medicines and maternity supplies. Its response should be included if and when it becomes available.