Murang’a county government has launched new general wards at the Maragua and Kandara Level-4 hospitals.
The new wards with a total capacity of 50 beds will ease congestion of admitted patients and also relieve area residents the burden of seeking treatment from far off health facilities.
Launching the new wards Sunday, the county Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the 20-bed capacity ward at Bildad Kagia hospital in Kandara is a major breakthrough, noting that previously patients in need in-patient services were forced to go all the way to Murang’a Level-5 hospital or facilities in neighbouring Kiambu County.
He explained with the new wards, Bildad Kagia hospital will be of great relief to more than 300, 000 people residing in Kandara sub county.
Kang’ata further noted the 30-bed ward in Maragua hospital will ease congestion that was being witnessed in the facility that serves several sub counties.
“The construction of new wards signifies continued efforts by the county government to improve the quality of medical services offered in all health facilities in the county,” stated the governor.
He underscored the importance of the new wards saying they will improve medical services for the residents who can now be admitted for further treatment, instead of being referred to other health facilities located far away.
Kang’ata promised to allocate more funds to improve conditions of Maragua hospital, saying some of its infrastructure needs renovations.
“We are aware of the condition of Maragua hospital and more funds will be allocated to improve some the infrastructure. The facility serves a big number of patients, thus the need for urgent renovations and new facilities like expansion of theater and maternity wards,” he added.
The governor also launched distribution of computers and beddings to all medical facilities in the county to enhance service delivery and monitoring dispensing of drugs.
Currently Murang’a level 5 hospital has digitized operations in the facility with computerization of records of all patients being served in the hospital.
Kang’ata further enumerated construction and renovation works being done in other health facilities saying by closure of the current financial year, some hospitals will get new infrastructure ranging from general wards, causalities, maternity wards and theaters.
The medic in charge of Bildad Kagia hospital Lina Gakera said the facility services close to 4, 000 out- patients per month.
She added they also handle more than 120 cases of maternity on monthly basis saying the new wards will be of great relief since they used to refer patients who needed admission to Murang’a Level 5 hospital or health facilities in Thika.
Lauding the project, area residents appealed to the county administration to ensure availability of drugs in the hospital saying most times they are forced to buy described drugs from private chemists.
By Bernard Munyao