Naitiri sub district hospital of Bungoma North District, the only one of its nature in the entire district is counting losses after thieves invaded the hospital making away with metallic man-hole tops valued at Sh55, 000.

Speaking to West fm, the hospitals Administrator Mr. Timothy Mikisi said that one of the suspects, a dealer in scrap metal business is being pursued by the police who have highly linked him to the theft.

He further disclosed that the thieves made away with 20 medium metallic tops as well as 10 small ones prompting them to improvise cemented slabs to cover the holes so as to avoid incurring accidents and to further curb the possibility of disease outbreak.

“As we pursue the case further, the unfortunate incident has not affected the normal operation of the hospital hence I urge the patients not to panic as we doctors and nurses are offering medication to them as usual,” said Mr. Mikisi.

The administrator pointed out that scrap metal dealers at Naitiri markert are using school children to search and sometimes steal metals from different sources to their delivery at a fee and called upon the provincial administration alongside other stakeholders in the area to be vigilant in order to curb the menace. 

With the Naitiri sub district hospital serving a population of up to Sh53, 000 residents, Mr. Mikisi said they are in cordial relationship with the over ten dispensaries in the district hence working towards improvement of services to citizens of the district.

He however called upon the area Member of Parliament David Eseli Simiyu to help them acquire operational machines to kick start the recently completed theatre which he said will go all long way to assist patients who travel long distances after their cases have been referred to hospitals with better facilities far from their homes.

The theater was a joint project between the Safaricom Foundation which channeled Sh5.2 million to the project construction while the CDF was to top up with a further Sh2 million to complete purchase of necessary equipments which is yet to be done.