Kenya: Philips in Sh50m hospital facelift

Philips East Africa has unveiled an initiative that refurbishes labour, paediatric and newborn wards. Kiambu District Hospital is the first beneficiary in Kenya.

The facelift, which will cost Sh50 million, will support the well-being and recovery of expectant mothers and their newborn babies.

The project is part of Philips’ annual pan-African ‘Cape Town to Cairo roadshow,’ starting in Cape Town on May 11, 2015.

Nairobi is the third stop on a journey covering 12,000km across 11 cities and eight countries over four and half months.

Philips East Africa Ltd General Manager Roelof Assies said the project has transformed the paediatric and newborn wards at the hospital, adding that the refurbished unit is in a position to cater for mothers and their newborns.

Kiambu District Hospital Medical Superintendent David Kariuki said the facility, with a capacity of 54 beds and 40 baby cots, is one of the oldest, having been built in 1961.

He said the refurbishment will reduce the number of children dying from preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, asthma and vomiting.

“To avoid infections, we have struggled to maintain cleanliness especially on blocked sewerage and toilets, spending Sh50,000 per month,” Dr Kariuki said.

Governor William Kabogo said the county will continue to partner with the private sector, especially in the health sector.