Boost as Kisii county, World Bank set aside Sh500m to build hospitals

Kisii Governor James Ongwae lays a foundation stone for the construction of a 100 -bed capacity modern wing at Nduru Sub County Hospital in South Mugirango Constituency yesterday. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Kisii County government has partnered with the World Bank in Sh500 million kitty to complete and equip stalled health facilities in the county.

The kitty will see the completion of Getembe, Kiamwasi and Mwamogesa health centres both in Kitutu Chache South which were started through the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).

Onces completed, the facilities will ease congestion at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH).

The facilities have been lying idle for the last seven years with residents having turned the green grounds into grazing fields while youths use the buildings as smoking zones.

Speaking on Thursday when he toured the facilities, Governor James Ongwae said the Sh500 million will be used to construct new facilities, complete dilapidated ones, hire staff and equip them with modern machines.

In the past one week, Ongwae has laid foundation stones for the construction a Sh30 million 25-bed capacity maternity wing and newborn unit at Kiamwasi Health Centre in Kitutu Chache South as well the construction of a new wing at Nduru Level 4 hospital in South Mugirango.

The Nduru Project entails the construction of a three-storey theatre block with both private ward and general wards wing of 16 and 84-bed capacity respectively.

The observation desk at the newly opened dispensary at Kiamwasi Hospital in Kitutu central. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

The Sh120 million 100 bed capacity facility will also have provisions for: Dental unit, 3 Consultation rooms, Pharmacy, X-ray wing, Minor theatre, three Laboratories, Physiotherapy rooms among other spaces.

"I am committed to ensuring the Universal Health Care for all and the revival of Kiamwasi Dispensary will enable locals who have had to travel to KTRH and Oresi Health centre to access basic health services," Ongwae said during the commissioning of the projects.

He said his administration will operationalise all health facilities in the county which were built by NG-CDF after gazettement with a view to having them funded and staffed.

Sub County hospitals including Kenyenya and Keumbu have all received theatres and X-Ray centres.

The County Referral has already had infrastructural growth; a new 150 Ward, MRI centre, a new HDU and ICU, a modern 100 body capacity morgue, doctors’ hostel all in the last five years. The hospital is also putting up a multi-million doctors’ plaza and a Mother and Child care Centre.

According to Health County Executive Sarah Omache the county has continued to bolster its health sector spending 40 percent of its annual budget on improving the segment.

“The County’s focus has been on primary healthcare particularly community healthcare in identifying and capacitating community health workers and encouraging referrals to health facilities.”

Since 2013, the County Administration has employed more than 50 doctors and 800 nurses and clinicians to improve services at Sub County and hospitals and other dispensaries.