Murang’a county government will save Sh14M annually after transferring Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital to Makenji from a rented facility in Kenol town.
The hospital has been constructed on part of the 1,500 acres of land ceded by Delmonte Fruits processing company and will save the county Sh1.2M that was previously paid in monthly rent.
Speaking during the hospital’s official opening, Governor Irungu Kang’ata noted that the expenses incurred in paying for the rent would be channeled towards other programmes all aimed at uplifting the lives of the residents.
“It was expensive operating the hospital from a rented premise and that is why we decided to put up a permanent structure here which we will continue expanding to offer a wide range of health care services to the people,” he said.
He further revealed the facility would continue offering specialized eye and dental services in addition to a small outpatient department that would offer other services as well.
“With time and availability of funds, since we have room for expansion and more infrastructure, we will expand it to become one of the best Level Four hospitals in Mount Kenya region,” noted Kang’ata
The facility has been equipped with an eye and dental unit, an outpatient casualty department, 20 beds capacity male and female wards, a telemedicine room and minor theater rooms.
Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital has a capacity to serve 400 patients daily.
Murang’a Budget and economic Chair Peter Munga who is also the outgoing chairperson Equity Group noted that the county was on the right path in ensuring comprehensive health care for all the residents.
“Health and wealth are inseparable and providing comprehensive health care will ensure the residents in the agriculture rich county will be able to fill the country’s food basket,” he observed adding that, “With all the systems like ICT, financing, infrastructure, human resource, supply, commodities and leadership and governance, the Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Unit will overhaul the county’s health sector”.
On his part, Kenya Association of Manufacturers Chairperson Rajan Shah lauded the county government’s initiative and urged the Governor to lobby other administrators so as to make favourable the cost of doing business in the country which is currently prohibitive.
“The governor has shown accountability and transparency and we assure you of our cooperation as we continue to conduct free ENT medical camps across the country,” he stated
On their part, the residents who were travelling to Thika, Maragua and other distant places expressed their joy at having the eye and dental unit closer to them.
They noted it would not only save them the finances they used to travel to access health care but would also save time spent on the road.
“I have been seeking medical attention at Muruka, Thika and Maragua many kilometres from my Kandara home but with this facility here, I can walk to and from the hospital to have my eyes checked,” said a beaming 70 year old Joseph Mburu from Kandara Constituency.
Moreover, the residents implored on Kenya National Highways Authority(KenNHA) to consider constructing an overpass near the hospital to enable patients to cross the busy highway safely and avert numerous accidents that may occur.
Governor Kang’ata had revealed that the county administration had written to KenNHA to consider constructing a fly over but they had not responded by the time of going to press.
During the event, over 5000 patients turned up for dental and optical services that were offered for free for two days following the opening of the hospital.
By Florence Kinyua
