This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
On Tuesday, Tana River County received a significant boost in its health system with the unveiling of new medical facilities by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
The facilities, which will provide residents with access to quality health services, include a 60-bed maternity wing with a neonatal unit, a CT-Scan, and a Shs 40 million consignment of medical supplies and equipment.
Addressing hundreds of residents at the hospital grounds, the First Lady emphasized the need for efficient health systems as the country moves towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
She called on stakeholders in the health sector to work together to ensure Kenyans, especially vulnerable women and children, have access to quality and affordable health services.
‘It is therefore my hope that we can build many more partnerships that help us sustain these systems and I will continue my pledge to work with you to protect the lives of women and children of this county,’ the First Lady said.
First Lady Kenyatta commended the county government of Tana River for its ongoing expansion and improvement of health infrastructure, citing the construction and equipping of 50 dispensaries over the last five years as a commendable achievement.
She also praised the development of Hola Referral Hospital, particularly the upgrading and expansion of services to cater to the needs of more residents.
The commissioning of the new maternity and neonatal unit will ensure safe delivery of babies and availability of ante and post-natal care for mothers, easing congestion at the facility.
Additionally, the hospital now has a new CT-Scan equipment, eliminating the need for residents to travel to other counties for specialized diagnostic services.
The First Lady expressed her commitment to engaging more partners in the health sector to ensure Kenyans have access to quality and affordable health services through provision of critical equipment and medical supplies.
She thanked the donors, including Friends of Africa International (FOIA) and Project C.U.R.E (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment), for their contributions, which have assisted the government in making gains in the provision of health services.
Tana River Governor Maj (Rtd) Dhado Godhana commended the First Lady for her efforts in championing access to quality health for all Kenyans, especially women and children, saying her efforts have greatly helped in reducing maternal and child mortality in the country.
