The County Government of Nyeri has begun the construction of a Level 4 health facility at Magana Ward, Tetu Sub County, to enhance the provision of health services to local residents.
Previously, residents of the area had to rely on the local Wamagana Dispensary to access primary health care services while serious cases had to be referred to the Nyeri County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The Level Four facility which will be of its kind in the area is set to cost sh 300 million and is expected be operational by 2027.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said there was need to invest in providing quality health services to the people insisting that no society can develop while its people are in poor health.
He said his government will continue to direct resources in the improvement of critical health care facilities within the county and make sure residents at the local level can access affordable and quality health care.
“We must prioritize health—because it is the midpoint, the singularity around which every other aspect of life revolves. And we should do everything in our power to ensure the bar is set high when it comes to healthcare.
As long as I am in office, I will ensure that this hospital is completed and in operation. This development marks the transformation of the Wamagana Health Center from a Level 3 to a Level 4 facility. For decades, it has faithfully served the people of Tetu, and over time, the demand and workload it has handled has grown to match those of a Level 4 hospital.” he said.
Once complete, the hospital is expected to serve a population of 13,000 residents and handle an annual outpatient workload of more than 38,000 cases.
This transformation will effectively help in decongesting Nyeri County Referral Hospital and other higher tier health facilities in the county.
Among amenities and services patients will benefit from in the 150 -bed capacity facility includes and Maternal and Child Health Clinic, laboratory clinic, Specialized Clinics, Central Sterile Supply Department and Surgical Operating Theatres.
Kahiga insisted that health, being a right enshrined in the Article 43 of the constitution, must be provided to all persons and should not be a preserve for the privileged few.
He therefore said it is the responsibility of any government to ensure proper infrastructures are put in place to ensure the health and life of its people is guaranteed.
“This project is a major milestone towards achieving Universal Health Coverage which is a top priority for my Government. In this regard, and upon completion of the hospital, the County Government of Nyeri commits to providing the requisite staff and medical supplies to guarantee optimal operationalization and uninterrupted service delivery. The County Government of Nyeri led by the Governor, takes this opportunity to appreciate the efforts taken by the Department of Health and all other County departments in planning and actualizing this project., “he added.
While addressing the County Assembly on December 5 last year the County boss noted that strengthening primary health care remained key in the attainment of UHC to each and every person irrespective of his or her socio-economic status.
He also insisted on the need for counties to focus on primary health care and cautioned that rehabilitative and palliative services are not the panacea in reducing the disease burden currently plaguing the county.
“The County invested in specialized services such as renal dialysis, oncology, intensive Care Unit, High Dependence Unit, Diagnostic laboratory and Imaging services for high level of care treatment.
Other remarkable success stories in the health services include; the outpatient attendance increase to 1,638,725 customers across all public health facilities which is an indication of our citizen’s preference to seek health care services in our health facilities.
And the most worth noting achievement ensuring that all HIV patients were put on ARVs. The County also achieved a viral suppression of 96 per cent. This is an indication of the County’s commitment to treat and reduce HIV/Aids prevalence among county citizens.” he pointed out.
By Samuel Maina
