Why Mandago Wants MTRH to Repay Millions Deducted From His County
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago is planning to write to the Treasury seeking reimbursement of all the cash that has been deducted from the county coffers on behalf of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) to pay for some of the medical equipment meant for the county but ended up at the facility.
KHISA CJ
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance and Budget to answer to the audit queries for the financial year 2018/2019, Mandago noted that his administration was still paying for the total sum of Ksh200 million deducted at the source, annually under the Managed Equipment Services (MES) program, even though some of the equipment were taken and being utilized by MTRH.
Under MES, two county hospitals in every county were selected to benefit with supply o among others Theatre Equipment, Sterilization Equipment and Theatre Instruments, Renal Dialysis Equipment, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Equipment, X-ray, and other Imaging Equipment.
In Uasin Gisu, Ziwa and Burnt Forest Hospitals were selected to benefit from the program.
“MES program was an array of equipment. Dialysis machines are in use in Ziwa but theatre and part of Xray equipment are at MTRH."
"...so not all the equipment went to MTRH but some, and we’re paying for the whole amount,” Mandago told the committee on Monday whose session was led by Vice-Chairperson Sen. Dr. Ochilo G.M. Ayacko.
The county boss, however, said "The challenge is how to quantify the cost of each of the equipment under the program so that we can know how much should be stopped and probably have MTRH reimburse what we have paid for, on their behalf so that that money goes towards equipping the Ziwa Level 5 Hospital."
Mandago was responding to concerns from Senators over reasons why some equipment meant for county hospitals ended up at the National Government-managed health facility and yet they were still being deducted to pay for them.
"I think it is a valid concern that should be taken up and acted upon because it has led to financial query yet it is an oversight in government,” noted Senator Ayacko during the session held at Parliament buildings in Nairobi.
"...infact this amounts to corruption. We cannot have Uasin Gishu paying for equipment that is being used by MTRH which is funded and operated by the national government. Now Mandago is answering to questions that he should not be,” added Nandi Senator Kiprotich Cherargei, appearing as a friend of the committee.
