M-Pesa Foundation sets aside Sh36.2 million for newborn unit in Kwale

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani. [Robert Menza, Standard]

M-Pesa Foundation will fund the construction of Sh36.2 million newborn unit at the Msambweni County Referral Hospital.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani said the new facility will improve service delivery and reduce child mortality in the region.

Speaking yesterday during the launch of the project, Achani said the construction of the facility would be complete in three months.

"We requested support from the M-Pesa Foundation, and they responded well to our appeal. Today, we have received over Sh30 million, which will be used to construct our newborn unit here," she said.

Achani warned doctors across the county against participating in the ongoing national strike, saying that the county government of Kwale has been paying their monthly salaries on time.

The facility will include service components such as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a High Dependency Unit (HDU), nursery rooms, a kangaroo room, laundry services and a staff lodge.

Anne Eriksson, a trustee from the Mpesa Foundation, said that they have partnered with the Kwale county government in various projects.

Eriksson noted that the Foundation funded the construction of the Nyalani dam project which has ensured water provision to Kinango sub-county.

"We, as the Mpesa Foundation, are so thankful to the Kwale county government for inviting us for this project," she said.

"Here in Kwale over the past few years, Mpesa and Safaricom foundations have invested over Sh316 million in various projects, including the Nyalani dam and the educational sector. You can expect us to be back here in the next few months to hopefully hand over the various projects," she added.

Patients in Kwale depend on private health facilities and Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa count for newborn unit services.

"We are very grateful to our governor and Mpesa Foundation for bringing this project to Msambweni. I pray that this collaboration can continue and M-Pesa foundation brings us more projects in our county," said Mr Mohammed Tosha, a resident of Msambweni.

The newborn unit is the first one in Kwale County.

At the same event, Ramisi MCA, Ms Hanifa Mwajirani, commended Achani and the Mpesa Foundation for implementing major projects in the area.

Mwajirani said the projects have been influenced by the good relationship between the county government leadership and its partners.

"I am very grateful to our governor for ensuring that Ramisi gets development projects. I also thank the MPesa and Safaricom foundations for supporting us in various projects across our ward," she said.