The government has set aside Sh400 million to upgrade Kigumo Health Centre in Murang’a County.
The elevation will see the facility start offering in-patient and surgery services after completion of the expansion slated in December next year.
The contractor awarded the tender for expansion has already commenced the works with the area MP Wangari Mwaniki calling for the acceleration of the work so as to enable local residents’ access improved health services.
Mwaniki on Wednesday when she led officers from the Ministry of Health and those from public works to inspect the facility said once completed the hospital will have a 60-bed capacity.
She noted that currently residents from Kigumo Sub County are forced to seek enhanced health care from hospitals which are far from the locality.
The MP explained that in the expansion plan, the hospital will also have a fully equipped maternity wing, surgical and renal units among other departments which are essential in provision of enhanced health care.
“We want the contractor to move in haste and make sure by mid next year, the construction will be through. From there, equipping of the facility will be done. Currently residents from this area have been forced to seek health care from hospitals which are far,” said the legislator.
She said that the people of Kigumo are grateful to President Uhuru Kenyatta for having promised a big hospital in the area. Wangari noted that the promised has been fulfilled through the funds factored in the next financial year for the expansion of Kigumo Health Centre.
“Apart from expanding the hospital, the facility will also have a mortuary constructed later. Four acres has also been set aside to construct a Kenya Medical Training College campus.” She added.
In the county, major hospitals include Murang’a Level-4 Hospital, Maragua level 4 and Muriranjas hospitals.
Expansion of Kigumo Health care will benefit not only residents of Kigumo but also those from neighbouring Maragua and Kandara Sub Counties.
The expansion will also include construction of staff quarters especially for medical practitioners who will work in the facility.
“Currently health workers in this facility are forced to seek accommodation from towns which are far from Kigumo. The staff quarters will house doctors, nurses among other health workers who will be employed to work in the hospital,” added Mwaniki.
On the plans to construct the KMTC campus, the legislator said the local NG-CDF has set aside Sh30 million to kick start construction after all plans are completed.
By Bernard Munyao
