The newly constructed Intensive Care Unit block in Murang’a was on Tuesday consecrated by members of clergy drawn from various denominations.
The 35-bed capacity ICU facility is now ready to receive patients after installation of equipment was fully done.
The members of clergy led by Murang’a Catholic Diocese Bishop, James Wainaina and his ACK Mount Kenya Central Diocese counterpart, Revered Timothy Gichere prayed for and blessed the facility that was built in a record of 21 days.
The Bishops lauded the county administration for its commitment in putting up the ICU which will go a long way in providing critical services especially to the poor.
During the occasion, Governor Mwangi wa Iria said the county government has handed over the facility to the management of Murang’a Level -5 hospital so as to start its operation.
He said the ICU which is the largest in Mount Kenya region will give services to all Kenyans especially those from poor background and cannot afford to take their patients to private facilities.
Wa Iria said they will benchmark with other hospitals offering critical care services so as to ensure the ICU runs effectively.
Meanwhile, the process of employing ICU health workers has been completed and the facility can now start receiving patients.
The governor noted that in the past, patients from the county who needed critical care services were referred to facilities in Nairobi, but unfortunately some of patients could not afford the expenses.
“This facility, which we have handed over to management of Murang’a county referral hospital on Tuesday, will give services without discrimination. Kenyans from every corner of the country can get treatment from here. Our aim is to see the poor get intensive care services without being forced to sell the property to foot the accumulated bills,” explained the governor.
The county government mobilized its engineers and local resources to put the block within 19 days and other three days in installing equipment.
Many residents could not believe the short time used to construct a building from scratch and make the ICU operation in a period less than a month.
Wa Iria said he chose to use engineers employed by the county government so as to hasten the works, saying he avoided going through tendering process as it would have delayed completion of the facility which is highly ideal, especially at this time when the country is faced by covid-19 threat.
“The money which were used in constructing this building were not much as we used our workers to design, construct and equip the facility,” added Wa Iria.
He continued, “After consecration by the members of the clergy the ICU is ready to receive patients not only from Murang’a but also from neighbouring counties.
Meanwhile, the governor said the next project will be to build a cancer centre to handle patients who for long have been seeking treatment from Nairobi and other parts of the country.
“My administration will start working on putting up a cancer centre by December this year. Cancer has become a threat and many patients especially from poor families cannot afford the needed medical expenses,” he added.
About covid-19, the county government will from next week embark on providing food to poor families which have been greatly hit by adverse effects of coronavirus.
“We will use churches in the distribution of food as we also think of how to support local churches reach their congregations through broadcast,” he added.
By Bernard Munyao
