Siaya County’s Chief Officer for Health, Dr Samuel Omondi, on Friday led a senior county health delegation to Yala Sub-County Hospital in a comprehensive assessment of service delivery and the pace of construction of the hospital’s flagship emergency and maternity complex.
The visit underscored the county government’s commitment to improving frontline healthcare, strengthening systems, and ensuring patients receive timely, quality services in line with national standards.
Dr Omondi lauded the hospital staff for their dedication and resilience, noting that teamwork and professionalism remain the backbone of efficient hospital operations. He urged staff to sustain a patient-centered culture even as the facility expands its infrastructure and service scope.
A major highlight of the assessment was the full rollout of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) at Yala Hospital, which has been selected to pilot the Kenya EMR system. Dr Omondi emphasized that digital records are no longer optional, firmly discouraging reliance on paper-based systems, which he said undermine efficiency, accountability, and continuity of care.
“Yala Hospital must lead by example in embracing digital health solutions. The future of healthcare is data-driven,” he stressed.
On labour relations, Dr Omondi acknowledged the constitutional and legal right of health workers to strike as provided for under the Labour Relations Act. However, he cautioned against narratives that seek to measure the “success” of industrial action using patient mortality or suffering, describing such benchmarks as unethical and counterproductive.
The assessment team also challenged the facility to protect and build on its gains in child development services, with a clear call for Yala to position itself as a centre of excellence within Siaya County and beyond. Hospital management was encouraged to benchmark with other leading facilities to remain competitive and responsive to emerging healthcare demands.
Following an extensive tour of critical service areas, the team issued practical recommendations aimed at enhancing efficiency, patient experience, and clinical outcomes—reinforcing Yala Sub-County Hospital’s status as one of the county’s top-performing health facilities.
The delegation included County Reproductive Health Coordinator Pamela Josephine, County Chief Nursing Officer Godfrey Odhiambo, County Radiographer Coordinator Egla Cheptoo, and County Health Project Coordinator George Nyamwaji, reflecting a multi-disciplinary approach to health system strengthening.
As construction of the emergency and maternity complex progresses, county health leadership says Yala Hospital is firmly on track to become a modern, digitally enabled healthcare hub, delivering safer, faster, and more reliable services to the people of Siaya County.
Department of Health, County Government of Siaya
