The Tana River County government has commenced hospital equipment upgrades to boost quality healthcare delivery across county.
Hola and Ngao referral hospitals have become the first health facilities in the vast region to receive the latest surgical and clinical equipment to improve the delivery of quality healthcare.
The two county referral hospitals have received the equipment supplied under the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP) which is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, and the Social Health Authority (SHA).
NESP is a Sh200 billion healthcare initiative designed to supply public hospitals with modern diagnostic and treatment machines such as CT scanners, dialysis units, digital X-rays).
Unlike older lease models, it operates on a Fee-For-Service (FFS) model where vendors handle installation and maintenance, and are paid only for actual services used.
Area Governor, Maj. (Rtd) Dhadho Godhana, commissioned the state-of-the-art operating theater at the Hola county referral hospital.
“We are not just acquiring medical equipment but are investing in the health and wellbeing of our people by laying the foundation for improved service delivery,” he said.
During the commissioning Godhana was accompanied by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Medical Services, and Sanitation, Kofa Jara, and Director of Health Services, Dr. Nicholas Mwenda.
Governor Godhana says the fully equipped Hola and Ngao theatres features a modern anesthesia machine, patient monitors, an adjustable operating table, LED surgical lights, an electrosurgical (diathermy) unit, infusion pumps, a surgical suction system, and other essential theatre equipment to support safe and efficient surgical procedures.
He disclosed that health facilities in Madogo, Bura, and Bangale towns are also set to receive the essential medical equipment under the NESP programme.
“The new operating theatres will significantly expand access to safe, quality surgical care, reduce referrals outside the county, ease the financial burden on patients and families, and bring lifesaving healthcare services closer to the people,” he said.
The county boss said health was critical to the wellbeing of the people and boosting socio-economic progress noting that investing in modern equipment will significantly enhance medical service delivery across the county.
He said the development is significant as residents will no longer have to travel outside the county for surgical and critical care services as they can now receive adequate treatments in Tana River.
Godhana said his administration will continue to prioritize the issues affecting the health sector in a bid to strengthen healthcare delivery.
The County Health Management Team (CHMT) recently noted that achieving quality healthcare requires stronger health systems, more qualified staff, automation of services, and strict adherence to professional standards.
Tana River residents have for long complained of gaps in outreach services, staff absenteeism and delays in diagnostic services.
Godhana also announced key upgrades to Hola County Referral Hospital, including improvements to the maternity wing, High Dependency Unit (HDU), Emergency Room (ER), ambulance services, and other critical facilities.
He confirmed that construction of a 450-bed modern Level 5 Hospital at Komor Jilla will begin soon and is expected to be completed by 2027.
A 2025 health report indicates that Tana River County is among regions with a high maternal mortality rate with approximately 265 deaths per 100,000 live births driven by severe postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, hypertension and significant health infrastructure gaps.
Godhana acknowledged that Tana River continues to face significant maternal and newborn health challenges requiring urgent and deliberate interventions.
He confirmed that the county government has prioritized phased recruitment to address critical human resource gaps in health facilities, particularly in specialist cadres.
“We are implementing county policies to improve skilled birth attendance and access to quality healthcare to reduce the burden of maternal and newborn deaths,” he said.
He further underscored the county’s commitment to strengthening referral systems, improving facility readiness and enhancing accountability in service delivery.
“We are committed to ensuring that every mother and child have access to safe, quality healthcare and a healthy start to life,” he said, adding that the county is committed to primary healthcare revitalization.
Godhana said his administration would focus on strengthening healthcare delivery at the community levels, increasing investment in health infrastructure and hiring of healthcare workers especially in underserved communities.
He said he is committed to ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths noting that no woman should die while giving birth.
“Since 2022 we have made significant progress recruiting over 300 healthcare workers and revamping several health facilities as part of efforts to sustain improvements in public health outcomes,” he said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
