By S, KNA
Residents of Mukurwe-ini West Ward in Nyeri County will now have easier access to primary health care following the commissioning of a new dispensary in the area.
While presiding over the opening of the new facility on Wednesday, Governor Mutahi Kahiga said the new dispensary will not only enhance provision of health services to about 5,000 patients but also make healthcare affordable.
Kahiga further pledged to continue expanding health facilities in all the 40 wards in the county as one way of ensuring residents living in far flung areas access medical care without hindrances.
“I had the honor of commissioning the Kaheti dispensary in Mukurwe-ini West Ward, Mukurwe-ini Sub County. This was a County Government’s project through the Department of Medical Services and Public Health. A nod to Nyeri County’s vision: A wealthy County with healthy and secure people for shared prosperity,” he posted on the official County Facebook page.
“The dispensary is here to alleviate the struggle of the people of Muyu location and Gatura Sub-location who were forced to seek medical help from other facilities like Ningaini dispensary, Mukurwe-ini level 4,hospital, Ichamara, Tambaya and Njokini dispensaries all an average of 5 kilometers away.”
The county boss labeled the dispensary as a game changer in providing health care in Mukurwe-ini as it will help relieve pressure on nearby health centres especially during emergencies such as accidents.
Among units at the dispensary include family planning care, antenatal unit, child welfare clinic, postnatal unit, immunization clinic and a general consultation section.
Among those in attendance included Mukurwe-ini Deputy County Commissioner Felix Kisalu, Chief Officer Health Adan Eden, Director for Health Services Dr. Nelson Muriu among others.
The County government has been establishing additional primary health care facilities in the rural areas in a bid to address the ballooning disease burden among local residents.
In June this year, the County embarked on the construction of a Level 4 health facility at Magana Ward, Tetu sub county to enhance provision of health services to area residents.
Previously, residents of the area had to rely on the local Wamagana Dispensary to access primary health care services while serious cases had to be referred to the Nyeri County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The Level Four facility, one of its kind in the area is set to cost Sh300 million.
It is expected to be operational by 2027.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility on June 15 this year, Kahiga said there was a need to invest in providing quality health services to the people insisting that no society can develop while its people are in poor health.
He said his government will continue to direct resources in the improvement of critical health care facilities within the county and make sure residents at the local level can access affordable and quality health care.
Once complete, the facility is expected to serve a population of 13,000 residents and handle an annual outpatient workload of more than 38,000 cases.
This transformation will effectively help in decongesting Nyeri County Referral Hospital and other higher tier health facilities in the county.
Among amenities and services patients will benefit from include a Maternal and Child Health Clinic, laboratory clinic, Specialized Clinics, Central Sterile Supply Department and Surgical Operating Theatres.
While addressing the County Assembly on December 5 last year the County boss noted that strengthening primary health care remained key in the attainment of UHC to each and every person irrespective of their socio-economic status.
He also insisted on the need for counties to focus on primary health care and cautioned that rehabilitative and palliative services are not the panacea in reducing the disease burden currently plaguing the county.
“The County invested in specialized services such as renal dialysis, oncology, intensive Care Unit, High Dependence Unit, Diagnostic laboratory and Imaging services for high level of care treatment. Other remarkable success stories in the health services include; the outpatient attendance increase to 1,638,725 patients across all public health facilities which is an indication of our citizens’ preference to seek health care services in our health facilities,” he noted.
