The Nakuru County government has partnered with the Rotary Club to rehabilitate health facilities in rural areas to help boost health care services in the county.
One such facility that benefited from the partnership is a dispensary in the semi-arid area of Kikopey in the Gilgil sub-county that has received a facelift of facilities to boost the provision of health services.
Kikopey Dispensary, which according to the County Government serves 2000 patients per month, now boasts of a modern maternity wing, ablution blocks, and staff quarters courtesy of a partnership between the devolved unit and the Rotary Club of Hurlingham.
The over 2000 residents of Gilgil Sub-County have a reason to smile after the Rotary Club further promised to collaborate with the County Government in constructing and equipping an ultra-modern laboratory, adding more sanitation facilities, putting in place power backup solutions, and expanding the existing pharmacy at the medical facility.
Eastern Region Rotary Club Vice Chairman Joe Nyagari indicated that partnership with Governor Susan Kihika’s administration will result in the construction of a laboratory to meet the required international specifications, adding that it will also be equipped with the latest equipment and software.
He added that the county laboratory staff will also undergo specialised training to run the facility professionally and sustainably.
Speaking after the inspection of the Kikopey dispensary, Mr. Nyagari announced that the Rotary club will further expand the maternity block, an outpatient wing, and an administration block, as this would give residents access to the most basic medical services before being referred elsewhere for specialised treatment.
The vice chairman lauded the planned move by the County Government to upgrade the dispensary to a Sub-County hospital adding that this would translate to more staff for the people of Kikopey and its environs.
He also added that the club would also build facilities at the dispensary that will offer optical services, dental care, and cancer screening aimed at serving people from Gilgil, Maela, Mai-Mahiu, and Longonot locations who are marginalised due to the harsh climatic conditions of the area.
County Health Services Director Dr. Daniel Wainaina indicated that the county government had embraced public-private partnerships in offering and promoting the provision of healthcare services.
He said Governor Kihika’s administration had acknowledged that it needed the support of non-state actors to successfully devolve quality healthcare services.
“We have identified our health problems, and we are tackling them by taking advantage of organisations with already established and tested systems, including those outside the government system,” stated Wainaina.
He added that their main objective was to ensure they provided better and quality medical services to the people near their homes and that they were working with ward representatives to operationalise dispensaries.
Dr. Wainaina said the rehabilitated facility will also offer family planning and immunisation services, among other outpatient services, after its upgrade.
He said the upgrade of the maternity wing will not only improve safe delivery at the hospital but also make expectant mothers feel comfortable at the facility.
By Esther Mwangi
