Kisumu County has constructed a modern specialised trauma and general hospital to handle accident victims and other emergencies in Nyakach Sub County at a cost of Sh56 million.
During a tour of the facility, Deputy Governor Mathews Owili stated that the increasing number of road accidents witnessed along the busy Homa bay – Katito town road informed the decision to establish the Pap Onditi Sub-County Hospital.
“By operationalising this hospital, all emergency cases involving accident victims from the region will be treated here, thereby decongesting Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH), where the majority of such cases are currently being referred to,” stated Dr Owili.
County Chief Officer of Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation, Dr Lusi Ojwang, announced that the Level 4 hospital is currently 98 percent complete and is scheduled to open its doors to the public in June 2024.
The hospital is equipped with two ultra-modern theatres with the capacity to handle emergency cases such as accident victims and another for maternal care services.
“The Maternity Wing theatre will significantly contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality, while the newborn unit will enhance neonatal care in a move towards improving healthcare services for mothers and infants in the area,” Dr Lusi observed.
West Nyakach Ward, Member of County Assembly (MCA) James Omollo lauded the initiative by the County Government stating that the hospital is set to revitalise healthcare services for indigent households.
“This hospital is a game changer in the healthcare sector and is set to offer a glimmer of hope to the accident victims and vulnerable mothers seeking maternal care from the remote area,” Omollo stressed.
The county legislator rejoiced that the trend of pregnant women from rural Nyakach traveling long distances for specialised maternity care at JOOTRH will soon become a thing of the past.
According to the Chief Officer, the Health Department has put in place the needed personnel and procured all essential equipment valued at Sh17 million for the facility and is currently awaiting installation before the official launch in two months.
Pap Onditi Level-4 Hospital is also equipped with a state-of-the-art medical waste incinerator, installed at Sh7.6 million, to enhance the efficiency in handling and managing hazardous and general medical waste.
“This modern incinerator machine is unique and can handle waste from Muhoroni, Nyando, and Nyakach Sub-Counties for the time being. However, we have set aside a budget to install a similar one in Muhoroni in the next Financial Year,” Dr Lusi assured.
By Robert Ojwang’
