Eni Kenya Donated has assorted equipment worth Sh32 million to Mother and Child Hospital with an aim to boost provision of services to wananchi who seek medical care at the health facility.
In the Blood Satellite Centre, received a blood plasma deep freezer and refrigerated centrifuge machine, a device that separates blood components to enhance medical management with various conditions.
“We have another department and its work is to donate blood to our hospitals. We have received modern equipment which are only seen in Nairobi that can separate blood components to boost medical management with various conditions,” said Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr while commissioning equipment for various departments on Tuesday at the health facility.
While saying the equipment can store 6,000 pints of blood, Mutula lauded students in secondary schools for donating blood and called on the college and university students studying in the area to also contribute to the blood bank.
“We have enough blood because of the equipment we have. We can donate to other counties. I urge college and university students in the county to also donate blood to the blood bank,” he added.
Also, during the event the governor who was accompanied by the Eni Kenya Managing Director (MD) Daniella Morra launched a specialised Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) including equipment that were donated to Mother and Child hospital.
Among the equipment received included incubators, syringe pumps, infusion pumps, medication trolleys, hygrometer, pulse oximeter, glucometer, baby cots, vital signs monitors, cardiac monitor/defibrillator, blood pressure machines and bilirubinometer, among others.
“The establishment of NICU at County Referral Hospital will significantly enhance the quality of newborn care services. the availability of advanced neonatal equipment will boost both efficiency of healthcare delivery and survival outcomes of newborns,” said Mutula.
“There will be improved survival of preterm and critically sick neonates. The presence of incubators, radiant warmers, and no-invasive ventilators ensures that premature and low-birth weight infants receive optimal thermal regulation and respiratory support, reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity rates,” he posed.
Also, the machines will help in monitoring and early detection of complications especially in having equipment like vital signs monitors, pulse oximeters and blood pressure machines enable continuous monitoring of vital parameters.
The equipment like medication trolleys and baby cots will enhance workflow efficiency, allowing nurses and clinicians to deliver coordinated and timely care without delays.
Another facility that benefitted was Kambi Mawe Dispensary where Mutula, alongside Eni Kenya (MD) Morra flagged off medical equipment for the Maternity Block, a newly built ablution block, and a septic tank.
Among things received included a delivery bed, examination couch, 2 examination lamps to be used in examining clients in maternity and postnatal, 2 beds to be used in Postnatal and Antenatal wards and incubator for preterm babies awaiting referral.
During the commissioning, also the health facility received 3 hospital mattresses, 1 doppler fetoscope that helps in checking heart rate, 1 oxygen cylinder, 1 autoclave for processing of equipment, 2-wheel chairs and drug trolley among others.
Also, in collaboration with development partners like Eni Kenya, Helen Keller International and Vitamin Angels, the county intends to curb malnutrition, especially among children in the area.
They will implement sustainable solutions aimed at reducing cases of moderate acute malnutrition, which is negatively impacting on the health of the children in the county.
The Department of Health is distributing fortified blended flour to benefit children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and adults affected by malnutrition, marking another stride toward a well-nourished county.
Speaking at the event, the MD Morra said that his organisation will continue to offer support to the county government.
“Going forward, we will increase our support to the county government in a bid to benefit the area residents,” said Morra.
Present at the event included the County Executive Committee for Health Joyce Mutua and several officials from the county government.
By Patrick Nyakundi
