Elder ensures health centre stays open

The only health facility for upper Bundi at the government station has been closed for years.
However, the level three health centre still remains functional when need be, under the care of village elder Michael Kobugunu.
Kobugunu said all staff began leaving the health centre around 2010, for various reasons.
“Some left because of positions and others due to the remoteness of the station,” he said.
“The facility is still in good condition with five rooms, so when we have sick people and women come, I allow them to sleep in the building while I call down to Walium.
“If it’s an emergency, a vehicle is sent here to transport them; for normal cases, a health worker travels here, treats them and returns.
“I only have basic painkillers to give to those in pain; but I live in constant fear that one might die and the people will blame me.”
Kobugunu said recently, Yuwagu Joseph, a retired community health worker from Bundi returned home and had been his biggest help since volunteering to help the sick.
“We really want the facility to reopen and I’d like our MP Jimmy Uguro to consider a health workers for us,” he said. A level three health centre should have between 10-12 health workers.