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Kakamega County Government is constructing state-of-art Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital at a cost of Sh6 billion.
The 500-bed capacity hospital will specialise in treatment of terminal illnesses like cancer, kidney and diabetes. The new health facility is also expected to help ease pressure on Kakamega County General Hospital.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the modern hospital will be the biggest in the region and will serve Kenya and East Africa.
“The hospital will cost Sh6 billion and will be completed in three phases. We will use another Sh2 billion to equip the hospital with modern equipment. Doctors from India will help us offer specialised medication to end long journeys of our people traveling to India for medication,” said Oparanya.
Specialised care
The governor said the new hospital will offer the highest standard of medical training and highest quality of specialised healthcare services.
The County Government has mobilised Sh1 billion to start Phase One of the project which is expected to be completed in the next 18 months. Phase one will have the trauma/accident and emergency, obstetrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, pharmacy, radiology and radiotherapy, the main theatres and wards among other departments.
The County Government of Kakamega is committed to improving access to quality health care, improving nutritional status of our children, boost immunisation coverage and access to family planning services.
“On average the county general hospital has been referring two to three cases daily to other referral facilities outside the region for specialised care,” said Oparanya.
He said the county government has signed an MoU with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology to establish a medical school. The training of medical personnel will attract various experts from all over the world and help ease the biting staff shortage across all cadres.
“For the last three years, the county government has laid emphasis on provision of quality and affordable medical services to all residents. Kakamega County General Hospital and all level 4 hospitals in the county have been equipped with X-ray and ultra-sound machines. In addition, the county government recently purchased a CT scan machine for the County General Hospital,” he said.
Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, who was also present, lauded the initiative.
“Kakamega has decided to invest in the health sector, therefore other counties should invest in other sectors so that we do not replicate projects,” said Mr Ranguma.
Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and his Busia counterpart Sospeter Ojaamong also attended the ceremony.
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