The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has rubbished a misleading article circulated by idle bloggers, claiming that the Kitui County Referral Hospital morgue is in a deplorable state. Upon investigation, it was established that the foul odor reported was not due to poor morgue management but rather a combination of factors that have since been resolved. Initially, a decaying body of a 5-year-old girl caused an unpleasant smell within the morgue, an issue that was promptly addressed by cleaning and sanitizing the facility. Additionally, public health officers discovered a decomposing dog carcass opposite the morgue, which they retrieved and buried to eliminate the odor entirely.
The old morgue, which has a capacity of 12 bodies, is currently overcrowded with many unclaimed bodies, exacerbating operational challenges. The Ministry is actively encouraging the public to identify and claim known bodies to ease this burden. For the unclaimed remains, plans are in place to conduct public burials in line with health regulations. Despite these challenges, the morgue continues to function, and its operations are far from the dire situation described in the article.
As part of ongoing improvements, the county government has delivered a modern facility equipped to handle 72 bodies. This state-of-the-art mortuary will significantly enhance the dignity and efficiency of mortuary services while reducing the pressure on the old facility. The new facility is set to be equipped and operationalized this financial year, a testament to the county’s commitment to upgrading healthcare infrastructure for the benefit of residents.
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has called out the bloggers for spreading false information without proper verification, creating unnecessary panic among residents. Such alarmist claims do not reflect the reality on the ground and undermine the government’s efforts to address healthcare challenges transparently. The Ministry urges responsible reporting and invites stakeholders to verify facts before making public allegations.
Residents and the County Assembly Health Committee are encouraged to visit the facility and witness the progress firsthand. The government remains committed to improving healthcare services, and the recent investments in the mortuary are just one example of the strides being made in Kitui County’s health sector. Collaboration and factual reporting will ensure continued development and public trust.
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