Murang’a county government is currently putting up a 3-storey orthopedic facility to relieve patients with bone related complications, especially from the larger Mount Kenya region, the agony of seeking treatment in private hospitals mostly based in Nairobi.
The facility situated at Kirwara area in Gatanga sub county, is expected to be launched by the end of July this year.
Governor Mwangi wa Iria, speaking when he inspected the ongoing works on Friday, said they have already tendered for equipment which will be installed once the building is complete.
“Observing the challenges people go through seeking treatment for orthopedic problems, my administration has opted to make Kirwara hospital a special one to deal with those problems.” noted Wa Iria.
“Kirwara, which has been a health centre will be expanded to have other departments to cater for a wide range of health needs,”.
“For many years, people with bone disease complications were forced to seek medication at Kijabe Mission Hospital but with this facility, our people will get relief,” said Wa Iria.
He noted that his administration is working to boost health care by putting up specialized hospitals.
A month ago, the county administration established a 35- bed capacity Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Murang’a Level – 5 hospital, a facility which currently is servicing not only local residents but patients from across Mount Kenya region.
“We will put up a men and children wards, an ICU, dialysis centre and oxygen plant in this hospital so as to serve people from this region,” he added.
Currently, residents of Gatanga have been forced to seek medication at Thika Level-5 hospital which is in Kiambu county.
Other specialized hospitals the county government is working on include a cancer centre which is set to be completed by December this year.
The centre, Wa Iria observes, will have modern equipment and spare patients the expenses of seeking cancer treatment in India
“Having a modern cancer hospital will be a big relief to Kenyans. Our aim is to have a facility with special equipment like those in Indian hospitals. Currently with Covid 19 pandemic patients slated to seek medication in India are suffering after ban of international flights,” stated Wa Iria.
Kenya has few orthopedic hospitals most of which are privately owned, major one being Kijabe mission hospital.
By Bernard Munyao
