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Patients Flock to Hospital for Free Medicine
Dr Richard Muga had directed that the medicines, also for tuberculosis, be given free of charge after an outbreak of malaria in the the district in the past few weeks.
By midday, the nurses said they had attended to 207 cases, with children being the majority.
The district medical boss, Dr Eric Obunga, also directed nurses at all field stations to provide free drugs and laboratory tests.
"Anybody denying patients drugs for lack of money will be disciplined, he warned in a circular.
The high attendance had stretched the hospital facilities, forcing inpatients to either share beds or sleep on the floor.
Dr Muga issued the order early this week, ending confusion over the Government's cost-sharing policy.
Two months ago, Health minister Charity Ngilu issued a verbal directive that malaria and TB patients receive free treatment at government hospitals, but the order was defied by medics who demanded an official document.
In a related development, an MP yesterday criticised the hospital's wards, calling them despicable and about to collapse.
Dr Hezron Manduku of Nyaribari Masaba, who had toured the institution, urged that they be condemned, saying they were risky to patients.
"These wards have gaping cracks, making them dangerous to patients and nurses," the MP who is also medical doctor said.
