By Mercy Buyanzi -Trans Nzoia County
Trans Nzoia County residents have reason to smile with the opening of a multi-million shilling health facility aimed at decongesting the Kitale County Referral Hospital.
The Governor H.E George Natembeya, who presided over the groundbreaking event, stated that the project, which will begin on Monday next week, will cost Sh200 million and will take nine months to complete.
According to Governor Natembeya, the facility has been serving as a health center, but it has now been transformed to a primary level hospital with a level four operating system.
“We’ve been dealing with a lot of congestion at the county referral hospital, and the new facility will help a lot. It will be separate from the main hospital and will have its own board of directors,” said the Governor.
The hospital, which will be built by Session Blue contractors, will have a mother and newborn wing with its own theatre, as well as mental and palliative care facilities, as well as renal treatment and dialysis.
The county boss stated that after the project is completed, mothers would benefit greatly since new born units will also be available for premature newborns.
The children will also be inoculated and their progress will be monitored by health workers after delivery.
The facility serves a community of approximately 27,777 people, with an average of 500 reproductive mothers receiving health services ranging from family planning through prenatal care.
There are currently no deliveries from the site. Child Welfare Clinics provide services. The services are attended by 1,000 children.
Currently, deliveries in the county are at around 63%, and with the new facility being built, deliveries will increase, resulting in a drop in the number of maternal newborn fatalities that are occurring as a result of delays in obtaining care owing to infructural problems.
The Governor was accompanied by the Deputy Governor H.E Philomenah Bineah Kapkory, the Public Service Board Chairperson Mr Peter Wamoto, County Secretary Mrs Truphosa, CECMS Mr Samson Ojwang (PSM) Mr Stanley Kirui (Trade and industrialization).
Others were Mr Pepela Wanjala (Health), Phanice Khatundi (Agriculture), CO Dr Emmanuel Wanjala (Health) Sammy Sichangi (Governance), Chief of Staff Dickson Wamocho among others.
