Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, on Friday, April 21, installed a new lift at the Pumwani Hospital, replacing a 43-year-old version that had long broken down.
In a statement, Sakaja noted that the new lift replaced an old one that broke down in 1980 and was never replaced by the then administration.
Explaining the significance of the new lift, Sakaja indicated that it would serve expectant mothers.
"Pumwani Maternity Hospital. Installing of brand new lifts to help our mothers in labour and delivery. The current ones broke down in the early '80s before I was born. We now have brand new lifts being installed," Sakaja stated.
According to Sakaja, the old lift was repaired in 1990 by foreign nationals who told the city council that it was for a short-term plan. They submitted another plan projecting the maintenance works to cost Ksh3.2 million.
However, the administration then turned down the proposal indicating that it was not viable. The Ksh3.2 million maintenance proposal was rejected as acquiring a new lift at that time was Ksh4.5 million.
Between 2014 and 2015, Nairobi initiated a new plan to acquire new lifts following consultations and reviews.
"The hospital management was informed that the tender was awarded, but no new documents were availed us. We were not involved in the procurement process apart from allowing the interested contractors to access the hospital with a view of coming up a bill of quantity," Sakaja wrote.
After a proper procurement process, the first-time governor acquired the new lift for Pumwani Maternity Hospital. Nonetheless, he did not reveal its cost.
Besides procuring a new lift, Sakaja also bought a new generator for the hospital.
"A brand new generator for power backup. The current one is to be serviced and moved to the Pumwani College of Nursing," the former Nairobi Senator remarked.
As part of his health resolution, Sakaja instituted leadership changes at Mama Lucy Hospital on Monday, April 17.
In a statement signed by Anastasia Nyalita, County Executive Committee member (CECM) in charge of health, a new board headed by Dorcas Kemunto.
