Residents of Kahumbu ward in Murang’a County have breathed a sigh of relief after a local dispensary that was closed 25 years ago, was reopened.
Murang’a governor Irungu Kang’ata on Sunday commissioned rehabilitated Gakuyu Dispensary relieving the locals from struggles of seeking medical care in health facilities located far from the locality.
The dispensary which was initially operated by the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church was closed after a land dispute arose between the defunct Maragua County Council and the church.
Residents decried prolonged suffering as they sought treatment from hospitals that were far away after the dispensary was shut down.
The absence of a local health facility forced the sick to be rushed to Saba Saba, Gaichanjiru Mission Hospital and Maragua level four Hospital which are about 25 kilometres from Kahumbu ward.
Governor Kang’ata said residents of Kahumbu had prioritised the dispensary in the proposed community projects saying the facility has the needed equipment and personnel to serve local residents.
He underscored his commitment to the health sector saying all stalled health centres, dispensaries and hospitals within the county will be completed and start serving the locals.
Since Kang’ata assumed his office, more than six health facilities that stalled some years back have been completed and commissioned to offer medical services to local people.
Some of the stalled health facilities were being constructed by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) before devolved governments.
“On the health sector, as county government of Murang’a we are trying to bring treatment among other medical services closer to mwananchi. We also working on the projects the people are prioritizing during public participation,” he said.
Lauding reopening and equipping the dispensary, one of the local residents Paul Mwangi reflected that the facility which was run by the SDA Church was closed owing to acrimony surrounding land dispute in the Kagwathi village.
Mwangi noted the local community then accused the church of encroaching on the public land where the health facility stood.
“The dispute led the church to stop managing the dispensary and withdraw health officers who operated the dispensary. The facility was then transferred to be managed by the defunct county council but unfortunately, no nurses, among other workers were deployed to run the dispensary,” highlighted Mwangi.
Kahumbu MCA Chefman Njoroge observed that since the inception of devolution, local residents have been calling for the reopening of the dispensary but in vain.
He praised the county administration for hinting to the cries of Kahumbu people saying services of the dispensary have been expended to relieve locals from travelling for long distances to seek medical care.
“Medical services to be offered at the dispensary have been increased. Laboratory tests will be done at the facility to help in the effective treatment,” said Njoroge.
The MCA called the county administration to construct maternity wards so as to relieve expectant mothers from going to deliver in hospitals far from the area.
“I will work in collaboration with the county government to ensure Kahumbu which currently lags behind in terms of development, gets more projects aimed to improve service delivery to local people.
During the occasion, Kang’ata also commissioned rehabilitated Mumbu and Kieni ECDE centres.
By Bernard Munyao
