The national government will spend Sh3 billion to purchase advanced medical equipment in an effort to boost health care in health facilities in Makueni County, President William Ruto has said.
Consequently, Dr Ruto said that the monies will be used to purchase equipment like digital X-rays, ultrasound machines, MRI machines, and laboratory facilities in an effort to strengthen the health system in the county.
Further, the president said that the equipment will be distributed to all health facilities, including dispensaries and health centers, with a view to bringing health services closer to the community.
“This investment is part of our agenda to give every Kenyan access to the highest level of treatment, right at the community level,” said President Ruto during his tour of Makueni County on Wednesday.
He disclosed that the cost to pay for the equipment will be paid by SHA saying the county government will not incur any expenses.
During the event, the head of state also said that now medicine from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) will be distributed directly to all health facilities across the country, unlike before, when they were taken to county health facilities.
“Medicine from KEMSA will be delivered directly to the health facilities to ensure residents get good services,” posed the president.
Also, Dr Ruto challenged the local residents to register with SHA in an effort to enable them to access health services without paying anything, saying, “We need people to register so that we have accurate data to enable us to plan and know how many doctors we want and how much medicine and equipment to purchase.”
Adding that “The government targets to increase the number of registered Kenyans on SHA to 30 million from 27 million in the next 3 to 4 months,” said Dr Ruto while addressing wananchi in Emali and Wote towns and Kasikeu market.
He reminded citizens that health is a constitutional right as provided for by Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya.
“Health is a basic right for every citizen of the Republic of Kenya, and we are duty-bound to uphold that,” he posed.
Speaking at the same event, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. asked the national government to help construct a national trauma center at Makindu subcounty hospital to especially deal with increased road accidents along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
“I appeal to the national government to help in constructing a national trauma centre at Makindu Subcounty Hospital to deal with the increase of accidents that are prevalent with the boda boda riders who suffer so much,” Mutula pleaded.
President Ruto was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, his labour counterpart Dr Alfred Mutua, Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Teresia Mbaika, Kibwezi West Member of Parliament (MP) Mwengi Mutuse, his Makueni counterpart Susan Kiamba, Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo, and others.
By Patrick Nyakundi and Mary Mutuku
