Tana River County Governor Maj (Rtd) Dhadho Godhana has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening primary healthcare through sustained collaboration with medical professionals in a bid to improve service delivery across the county.
Godhana said health was critical to the wellbeing of the people and boosting socio-economic progress.
Godhana said his administration will continue to prioritize the issues affecting the health sector in a bid to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
The Governor was speaking during a consultative meeting with the County Health Management Team (CHMT) in Hola town, the county headquarters.
The CHMT noted that achieving quality healthcare will require stronger health systems, more qualified staff, automation of services, and strict adherence to professional standards.
The county boss directed the health team to improve service delivery across major health facilities in Hola, Ngao, Madogo, Bura, and Bangale towns.
The meeting came barely two weeks after a pregnant woman gave birth on the corridors of the Hola County Referral Hospital while awaiting admission.
The incident prompted severe public outrage and protests by local women demanding accountability for alleged negligence and poor maternity services
The public uproar led to the dismissal of four medical professionals who were on duty at the facility but allegedly failed to admit the woman in the throes of labour on time.
“Reducing maternal and infant deaths, which is a critical public health challenge, continues to be of concern to us,” he said.
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.
He said the devolved unit will continue to strengthen health systems and improve maternal, newborn, and overall health outcomes through coordinated action, accountability, and continuous quality improvement.
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.
“The devolved government is committed to strengthening primary healthcare services as part of efforts to ensure residents have access to quality and timely healthcare,” he said.
He went on, ‘we want to ensure that residents enjoy access to efficient primary healthcare services.
Godhana noted that the county government would not tolerate negligence in healthcare delivery and that officers failing to perform their duties would face disciplinary action.
Residents have long complained of gaps in outreach services, staff absenteeism and delays in diagnostic services.
Godhana also announced key upgrades for Hola County Referral Hospital, including improvements of 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.
By Hussein Abdullahi
