Tharaka Nithi County marked a major milestone in healthcare provision after Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, presided over the official opening of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Amenity Wing at Chuka Level Five Hospital yesterday.
The move strengthens the county’s capacity to offer quality critical and maternal healthcare services.
Speaking during the ceremony, CS Duale emphasised that access to quality health care remains a key pillar in the government’s development agenda.
He noted that Tharaka Nithi County has emerged among the top performers nationally in health reforms, ranking sixth in Social Health Authority (SHA) registration, with 63 per cent of the population enrolled.
Duale attributed the achievement to focused leadership and strong collaboration between the national and county governments, as well as local residents’ willingness to embrace health reforms under Taifa Care.
“This success is not accidental. It is a result of committed local leadership and a community that believes in national transformation through healthcare,” said Duale.
The CS highlighted that Chuka Level Five Hospital now has five fully equipped ICU beds and 14 private maternity beds, positioning it as one of the leading facilities in critical and maternal care.
He further stated that by Monday, both the amenity wing and general wards would be fully licensed, enhancing service delivery and patient dignity.
CS Duale warned against unethical practices where doctors divert patients from public hospitals to private clinics, stressing that the ministry will not tolerate such conduct.
He added that no registered SHA patient seeking outpatient services should be asked to pay, and facilities denying services risk losing their licences through the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
On financing healthcare for vulnerable populations, the CS announced that the government will cover 3,000 indigent households in Tharaka Nithi in 2026, ensuring they access healthcare without financial hardship.
Additionally, all Community Health Promoters will receive SHA premium cover for free, with costs shared equally between the national and county governments.
CS Duale also revealed that Tharaka Nithi County is 88 per cent paperless and encouraged residents with smartphones to actively use the Afya Yangu digital platform.
He disclosed that the county has received Sh736 million from the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) across public, private, and faith-based facilities, alongside Sh107 million for primary healthcare services.
Addressing maternal and newborn health, the CS termed preventable deaths as unacceptable and announced the rollout of a Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative.
This includes surveys to identify gaps, strengthen emergency response, and save lives.
Governor Muthomi Njuki, who hosted CS Duale, described the commissioning of the ICU as a historic moment for the county, marking the culmination of years of planning and investment.
“For the first time, Tharaka Nithi has a public intensive care unit. This is a major breakthrough for our people,” said Njuki.
He attributed the construction and upgrading of Chuka Level Five Hospital to the support of President William Ruto, noting significant improvements in health infrastructure under the current administration.
The Governor confirmed that the county now has 118 health facilities, up from 64 in 2017, and that CS Duale had officially opened the 119th facility, the Amenity Wing, which serves as the hospital’s private wing.
Njuki appealed to the Ministry of Health to register the amenity wing as a stand-alone facility to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
He also highlighted critical human resource gaps, requesting deployment of a radiologist and pathologist to the county.
Raising concern over rising cancer cases, Njuki revealed that 462 new cancer cases are reported annually in Tharaka Nithi, yet the county lacks a cancer treatment centre and MRI services, forcing patients to seek care in neighbouring counties.
“We have the space and supporting technology. What we need is support to install at least one MRI machine in the county,” he said, urging special consideration from the national government.
Both leaders called on residents to fully embrace Taifa Care, describing it as a transformative model that guarantees equitable access to healthcare and protects families from catastrophic medical costs.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
