Lack of high-end hospitals in Nakuru 'disturbed' Moi's doctor, Kinyanjui says
Dr David Silverstein. He was the personal physician to former President Daniel Moi.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has revealed that when the late former President Daniel Moi was sick, his personal physician Dr David Silverstein wanted to treat him at a high-end hospital in Nakuru town, but there was none.
Mzee Moi, Kenya’s second and longest-serving President, died on February 4 after a long illness. He was buried at his Kabarak home in Nakuru on February 12.
"Dr Silverstein was greatly concerned that he comes from Naivasha and his patient comes from Nakuru, but he was forced to treat him in a Nairobi hospital due to lack of a high-end medical services in Nakuru," Mr Kinyanjui said.
Dr Silverstein, who treated the late Mzee Moi for 42 years lives in Naivasha.
Mr Kinyanjui was speaking during the launch of Our Lady of Mercy Mission Hospital strategic plan for 2020-2024 at in Nakuru town on Friday.
The county boss lauded the role played by Catholic Diocese of Nakuru in the overall economic and social development of the county.
"The Catholic Diocese of Nakuru has a special role to play and help the county government achieve its health agenda of universal health for all," said Mr Kinyanjui.
At the same time, Mr Kinyanjui said the diocese was a key development partner in the field of education and social services and all other aspects of development.
"We consider the church a very close development partner and we shall work with it to ensure the more than two million residents of the county benefit from the partnership," said Mr Kinyanjui.
He added: "As a county, we cannot be able to offer all the services in all the places in the county and it's within our strategic plan to work with like-minded partners like Catholic Church in the provision of health care."
He noted that Nakuru has some of the best five stars hotels, high-end schools like St Andrews Turi, Greensteads, Pembroke and many others but when it comes to health care the county lacks high-end hospitals.
Mr Kinyanjui said that the Covid-19 pandemic has taught Kenyans many critical lessons that should be a wake up call on our view of health services.
"Coronavirus pandemic has taught us that there is no public or private hospital and when there was an outbreak what mattered most is the number of beds and not the status of the hospital," added Governor Kinyanjui.
He said when he assumed office his first task was to set up a task force led by Prof James Tuitoek to look into the state of Health in Nakuru and this formed the blueprint of health that has transformed the sector.
