Residents of Webuye and its environs have welcomed the commissioning of a 3000 tonnes bulk liquefied oxygen tank and a new utility vehicle at Webuye County Hospital by the county government in partnership with Amref Health Africa
Speaking during the commissioning, Health and Sanitation CEC Dr. Andrew Wamalwa said that the bulk oxygen tank will cater for critically ill patients.
The Liquefied oxygen tank was donated by the global fund through Amref Africa which is the implementing partner at a cost of Sh 56.5 million
He said that the hospital now has 88 oxygen outlets covering all the clinical departments.
“Through the grant, the hospital has received oxygen that will serve it for six months,” Wamalwa noted.
So far Bungoma County has received 650 medical oxygen cylinders, including 50 ambulance-size cylinders for the County Referral Hospital and other regional health facilities.
“This has been a transformative initiative to improve people-centered primary health care (PHC) services in line with the commitment to improving the health care of our people,” he said.
He said that the other accessories the county government has received include 16 oxygen splitters and 6 multipara meter patient monitors.
“These assets are to be distributed in six health facilities in the county while five health facilities namely Chwele sub-county hospital, Sirisia sub-county hospital, Cheptais sub-County hospital, Miendo dispensary, and Webuye Sub County Hospital will benefit from piping infrastructure,” he said.
Wamalwa said that currently, Webuye County Hospital handles 25 patients in need of oxygen daily and the donation of the oxygen tank has come in handy.
The utility vehicle was purchased by Webuye County Hospital management board.
A representative of Amref Africa, Peter Waiganjo lauded the county government for the partnership.
“It is a milestone in the health sector with the commissioning and handing over the oxygen tank to cater for critical patients,” said Waiganjo.
He added, “This will help in expanding the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) that has been struggling for a long time.”
By Roseland Lumwamu
