Hospital receives medical supplies worth Sh36m from Helping Hand

Muhamed Habib(left) Program Officer from the Pakistan's Helping Hand Foundation uncover a new Infant Incubator equipment donated to Kakamega County Hospital on 25th/OCT/2014. Receiving on behalf of the hospital superintendent is Doctor David Andambi (in checked). The donation was worth 36M. BY CHRISPEN SECHERE

Kakamega; Kenya: Kakamega General Hospital has received equipment worth Sh36 million from the Helping Hand based in Pakistan.

The hospital received an infant incubator, laboratory refrigerator, oxygen tank and a vision tester among others. It also received beds and mattresses.

Muhammad Habib, programme officer at Helping Hand, said the hospital is the first one to receive the support.

BIGGEST FACILITY

“We have started this project at Kakamega County Hospital because it is the biggest and serves a large number of patients. The hospital also caters for people who are unable to settle medical bills,” Habib said.

Speaking during the handing over of the equipment to the hospital management, he said the project will also be rolled out in Nakuru, Vihiga and Kisumu.

He said people should drop the notion that Muslims are terrorists who cannot help the community because the donation came from a Muslim sponsored organisation with the mission dubbed ‘Muslims for Humanity’.

“We do not discriminate against people based on religion, we are Muslims for humanity. We will go to all counties but we are starting with Kakamega, Nakuru, Vihiga and Kisumu,” he said.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the hospital’s management, Dr David Andambi lauded the organisation for the support, saying it will help the hospital serve patients effectively.

“This donation will help this hospital serve many residents. We are grateful to Helping Hand for starting their programme at this hospital,” said Dr Andambi.

He said the hospital is committed to offering the best medical services to all patients across the world. It is willing to partner with any organisation or individuals who are ready to support it meet effective and efficient medical services delivery.

SHARING BEDS

The hospital is one of the largest public hospitals in Western region but has on several occasion, been hit by patient overcrowding. Sometimes, patients share beds.

But the county government intends to expand into a 1000-bed hospital from the current 500 beds.

Plans are also underway to elevate it to a referral hospital as patients from the area go all the way to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret or Jaramogi Odinga Referral Hospital in Kisumu for specialised medication.