By Governors Press Service
With the increase in demand for intensive medical care by newborn babies in Kwale , the county government in partnership with Mpesa foundation has set aside Ksh.36.2 million for the construction of maternity newborn unit and child health complex at Msambweni Referral Hospital.
Speaking during the foundation stone laying ceremony at Msambweni, Kwale governor Fatuma Achani thanked the Safaricom Foundation program, for supporting the county government in terms of project implementation, stating that the facility will bring a significant change in terms of health service delivery to the patients across the county and is expected to be ready in 3 months time.
“We requested support from the Safaricom Foundation, and they responded well to our call, and today we have received over KSH. 30 million of which we shall use it to construct our newborn unit here.” She said.
Furthermore, Achani warned doctors across the county against engaging themselves in the on going national strike by the doctors, saying that the county government of Kwale has been paying their monthly stipend on time.
The facility will include a number of service components, such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for babies, Hospital Back-up (HBu), 2 nursery rooms, Laundry services, staff lodge among other components.
According to Anne Eriksson, a trustee from the Safaricom Foundation, the foundation has been consistently partner with the county government of Kwale through various projects within the region, including the Nyalani dam project which gave solution to the water scarcity around Kinango Sub-county and promised for further support once called upon.
“We as the Mpesa foundation, are so thankful to the Kwale county government for inviting us once more for this project. Here in Kwale over the past few years, Mpesa and Safaricom Foundation have invested over KSH. 316 million in various projects, including the Nyalani and in the educational sector. You can expect us to be back here, for the next few months as we hopefully handover the various projects.” She said.
At the same event, Ramisi Member of County Assembly Hanifa Mwajirani, gave a hand of appreciation to the County government of Kwale and the Mpesa Safaricom Foundation, for implementing major projects in Ramisi Ward, stating that the projects have been highly influenced by the good relationship between the county leadership and it’s partners.
“I am very grateful to our governor for arming herself day and night to ensure that Ramisi gets development projects. I also thank the Safaricom Foundation for supporting us in various projects across our ward.” She added.
Over the past few years, many patients in Kwale depended on private health facilities and the well known Coast general hospital in Mombasa, especially for maternity newborn unit services which gave the residents extra cost making them deep into their pockets when sorting the health bills.
“We are very grateful to our governor of this county, for joining with Safaricom Foundation and bringing this project to us here in Msambweni. I just pray that this program from the county and the Safaricom Foundation can continue, to bring us more projects in our county. Said Mohammed Tosha, a resident in Msambweni.
The newborn unit facility is the first ever project implemented by the Kwale county government, and is expected to serve all the residents across the county.
