Residents of Kigumo sub county and neighbouring areas are set to benefit from improved healthcare services following the commissioning of a new 24-bed male ward at Kigumo Sub-County Hospital by the Murang’a County Government.
The new ward, officially opened on Sunday by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, is expected to ease congestion at referral facilities while reducing the distance male patients have had to travel to access inpatient services.
Until now, many patients’ requiring admission were referred to Maragua Level Four Hospital due to limited bed capacity at Kigumo.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Kang’ata said the new facility is part of the county’s broader strategy to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and ensure residents can access quality treatment closer to their homes.
The governor noted that the expansion forms part of the ongoing upgrade of Kigumo Sub-County Hospital from a Level -3 to a Level – 4 health facility, a move aimed at increasing the range of services available and reducing unnecessary referrals to larger hospitals.
As part of the upgrade, the county has completed a Dignity and Forensic Services Centre, which will enhance the management of gender-based violence cases, forensic examinations and the preservation of medical evidence required in legal processes.
The hospital has also been equipped with additional specialized units, including a modern Physiotherapy Centre and a Dialysis Centre fitted with four dialysis machines.
The dialysis unit is expected to serve patients from Kigumo, Maragua and neighbouring sub-counties, sparing kidney patients the long and costly journeys they previously made to seek treatment in distant hospitals.
Kang’ata said the investments demonstrate the county government’s commitment to decentralizing healthcare services by bringing specialized treatment closer to the people while improving the quality and efficiency of service delivery across public health facilities.
He added that strengthening sub-county hospitals is key to decongesting the county referral hospital and ensuring residents receive timely medical attention within their local communities.
In a move aimed at promoting maternal healthcare, the governor also settled outstanding hospital bills for mothers who had been detained at the facility after failing to clear their medical expenses, allowing them to reunite with their families.
He urged expectant mothers to attend regular antenatal clinics and deliver in health facilities under the care of skilled health workers, noting that proper maternal care significantly reduces the risk of complications for both mothers and newborns.
The commissioning of the new ward adds to Murang’a County’s ongoing investment in health infrastructure, equipment and specialized services as the devolved administration seeks to improve access to affordable and quality healthcare for residents across the county.
By Bernard Munyao
