Vihiga County Makes Strides in Expanding Healthcare Services
Vihiga County has taken significant steps toward improving healthcare access, with ongoing expansion and upgrading of health facilities aimed at reducing pressure on the county referral hospital in Mbale town. The county government has prioritized bringing services closer to residents while enhancing the quality of care, officials say, as part of its commitment to achieving universal healthcare.
Among the major projects is the construction of a theatre block at the upcoming Hamisi Sub-County Hospital. The facility features two operating rooms, two 12-bed wards for male and female patients, a laundry room, gas room, surgeons’ offices, and a nurse station. County Director of Health Services, Dr. Eric Sikuku, noted that the county now meets World Health Organization (WHO) standards, ensuring that residents live within five kilometres of a healthcare facility. Covering 563.8 square kilometres and home to nearly 590,000 residents, Vihiga now boasts 43 operational health facilities, including three hospitals, 18 health centres, and 22 dispensaries, with 19 facilities constructed in the past four years. The county has also recruited 163 health workers across various cadres to strengthen service delivery.
The county has further partnered with the Fistula Foundation to provide free fistula treatment at Vihiga County Referral Hospital, a move aimed at addressing a long-standing women’s health challenge. Governor-elect Dr. Wilber Ottichilo recently commissioned the Evoji dispensary in Bendera, pledging to upgrade it into a full health centre with round-the-clock services. In addition, Emuhaya Sub-County Hospital in Luanda Sub-County is expanding its capacity with a new 90-bed ward, a Blood Transfusion Unit, a laboratory, and an X-ray facility to better serve the surrounding population. To reach remote communities, the county has also deployed a mobile container clinic at Shaviringa in Shiru location, offering services twice weekly.
Officials say these initiatives are part of a long-term strategy to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, enhance patient care, and ensure equitable access across all sub-counties. By investing in both physical facilities and human resources, Vihiga County aims to reduce congestion at referral centres, address critical health gaps, and bring essential services closer to the people. The ongoing projects signal a renewed focus on community wellbeing and mark a major milestone in the county’s pursuit of universal health coverage.