Renovations for the Ng’enda Level 3 health centre in Gatundu South by the Kiambu County administration have started apace to the relief of area residents.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi announced that the upgrade of the hospital in Kiamwangi Ward, which will consist of 36 beds, is estimated to cost Sh45 million and emphasised that upon its completion, the hospital would greatly improve healthcare services in the area.
While speaking at AIPCA Church in Kiamwangi town, the governor announced plans to establish a comprehensive medical facility that will include an outpatient wing, inpatient facilities with a 26-bed maternity ward and a 10-bed general ward, as well as a laboratory and a theatre.
“We have completed the tendering process for the project, and construction will begin shortly. As the government, we are committed to bringing essential services such as laboratory and theatre services closer to the people in this region,” Wamatangi said.
After the completion of the project, the governor affirmed that it would not only help fill the healthcare void in the region, but would also decongest Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, which is currently struggling to accommodate the high volume of patients.
Additionally, the governor noted that efforts were being made to refurbish and enhance medical services at Mutati Health Centre, also located in the same ward, to improve the provision of healthcare services.
Governor Wamatangi expressed his administration’s dedication to improving healthcare services in the county by stating that once the Central Medical Store at Ruiru Level 4 Hospital was completed, the supply of medical and non-medical supplies in all Kiambu health facilities would be streamlined.
The governor highlighted that the region had faced a prolonged challenge with the inconsistent availability of both medical and non-medical supplies, which has been attributed to the absence of a centralised medical store responsible for receiving, managing, and distributing medical supplies to health facilities throughout the county. Additionally, the lack of oversight had also led to challenges in monitoring usage and placing timely orders for necessary supplies.
“We are on the verge of completing the storage facility, which will guarantee reliable supplies to our health facilities, prevent low stock levels or expired drugs, guarantee cost-effective practices, and enable continuous sustainable health service delivery,” Governor Wamatangi noted.
The county chief was accompanied by MCAs Kung’u Smart from Kiamwangi, Joseph Kahura from Kiganjo, Patrick Ngaruiya from Ngecha/Tigoni, and nominated MCA Monica Kuguru, who lauded the project as a game-changer, stating that it would alleviate the inconvenience of residents having to travel to distant facilities for services.
Kung’u expressed gratitude for the expansion and upgrade of the facility, stating, “Our mothers have had to travel to Gatundu, Thika, or Ruiru hospitals to give birth, so the new maternity wing will be a huge relief for us.”
He also lauded the Wamatangi-led administration for their efforts in initiating various development projects in the area, such as the construction of model ECDE centres in Kagera and Karembu, as well as the construction of Mutati Market.
Kung’u acknowledged that the governor had assured them of the rehabilitation of important roads in Kiamwangi ward that would begin once the rainy season was over, which would improve transportation and make it easier for farmers to transport their produce to markets.
By Hellen Lunalo
