Kilifi County government is set to open new health facilities in different parts of the region to strengthen health services delivery days after launching a renal dialysis unit, Emergency Medical services, and medical warehouse at Kilifi Referral Hospital.
Addressing the public during the flagging off of new ambulances in Kilifi, Kilifi County governor Gideon Mung’aro made the good news pronouncement saying the construction of hospitals in Marafa, Gede, Ganze, and Mtwapa is undergoing final touches and will be operational in a few weeks.
The move brings great relief to hundreds of residents living in rural areas of the sub-counties who had been borne the brand of suffering as they are far-flung.
“On 8th September, we will officially open a new hospital in Marafa that will be equipped with modern technology and can accommodate 105 patients. And on 12th September we will open another hospital in Mtwapa that is equipped with 50 beds,” he explained.
Mung’aro also disclosed that after two months, he will open up another hospital at Gede near Watamu that will have a capacity of 50 beds.
The governor further stated that on 13th September the county government will launch the refurbishment of Malindi sub-county hospital which currently has 200 patient beds.
According to the governor, the refurbishing of hospitals will continue in Ganze, Bamba, and Rabai areas. This is all in a bid to improve the country’s healthcare infrastructure and ensure better service delivery to the residents.
In Mtwapa and Kilifi, the devolved unit will construct an accident and emergency unit, to boost emergency service delivery to patients who have been involved in various accidents.
Mung’aro also laid out his plan to build residential quarters for doctors at the hospital, so that they have a place to sleep within the hospital grounds and be easily accessible at all times.
“We will build residential quarters for our doctors so that they will have a place to sleep here at the hospital. The doctors will therefore be available 24/7 to the patients. We will also open a doctor’s plaza here in Kilifi and in Malindi too”, the governor explained.
The county boss assured the residents that his work to improve the health sector in the county was just beginning and that more projects were underway to improve healthcare delivery services.
“I assure you that this is just the beginning. In this coming month, we shall unveil more facilities in our hospitals, health centers, and dispensaries in different parts of the county. My promise to improve health care in this county is now becoming a reality” he said.
Dr. James Mulewa, the Chief Executive Officer for Health said that the projects aim to improve health service delivery through developed infrastructure in the hospitals.
“Patients will not need to come to Kilifi for treatment. In the case of an operation, a doctor will be transported from Kilifi using the newly launched ambulances, to go and perform the operation”, Mulewa said.
By Jackson Msanzu and Cynthia Maseno
