Residents of Nyeri County and neighbouring regions are set to receive specialized health services after Othaya Hospital Level Six becomes operational in about three weeks.
Health Principal Secretary (PS) Peter Tum reiterated the government’s commitment to offer Universal Health Care (UHC) to all citizens by 2022.
Tum said the Sh 1 billion facility constructed by the national government and other support groups will act as a regional referral hospital from level four and five hospitals.
He was speaking during an inspection tour of Othaya Level Six Hospital which is expected to be officially commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta soon but the date is yet to be confirmed.
“We are focused to roll out Universal Health Care to all Kenyans in the next three years,” Tum said.
He said the national government is posting specialised doctors in various fields to relief patients from travelling to far flung areas and outside the country to seek health services.
“The government with effect from next week will start posting specialized doctors to the hospital,” he said adding that the county government will also chip in by providing other cadres.
Health PS Peter Tum inspects kitchen facilities at Othaya level six Hospital in Nyeri County.
The state of the art hospital is equipped with high class modern health machines among other facilities signaling the government’s commitment to provide quality UHC to all Kenyans.
Nyeri, Kisumu, Isiolo and Machakos have been identified as pilot counties to rollout UHR which is one of President Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda.
Speaking during the same occasion, Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi underscored the economic benefits that would be reaped by the residents after the hospital becomes operational.
Mugambi noted that the referral facility would not only serve the Nyeri residents but also neigbouring counties of Laikipia, Kirinyaga and Murang’a among other regions.
By Mwangi Gaitha
