Moi Referral to suspend key projects over funds

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital plans to suspend all its capital projects due to lack of funds.

The hospital’s acting director John Kibosia said the facility was running on a deficit following inadequate allocations from the Treasury.

“We had requested Sh3.8 billion yet we were only allocated Sh2.3 billion this financial year. We have now to look at areas of priority,” said Dr Kibosia.

He also ruled out employing casual workers on permanent terms despite a strike notice by the workers’ union.

The workers have issued a seven-day strike notice effective from August 2 citing government failure to improve their salaries and other terms of employment.

“Staff have genuine concerns and we are addressing them,” Dr Kibosia said, referring to a meeting with Treasury officials on Tuesday over extraneous and house allowances for the workers.

He also said staff would be promoted on merit contrary to demands by the union for a blanket review.

But the workers said they would only call off the strike when their demands are met.

A representative, Dr Mogeni Mogaka, said the hospital was being underfunded despite it being a referral facility.