The Nairobi County government has announced plans to upgrade 10 health facilities in Nairobi to receive referrals in an effort to decongest the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
County Executive Committee Member for Health Services, Dr Hitan Majevda revealed that the project would be completed by November 2018.
Dr Majevda further explained that the upgraded facilities would benefit residents of Ngara, Westlands, Dandora, Lang’ata and Mukuru.
The facilities will be elevated to the level four status which means that they will now offer obstetrics and gynaecology, child health, accident and emergency services as well as non-clinical support and referral services.
[caption caption="New mothers tend to their babies in a post-natal facility in Kenya"]
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"The upgrades have already been budgeted for and once we are done the impact will be felt in the county especially at KNH, which has been struggling," the Health CEC explained.
The Cabinet member disclosed that 27 ambulances had already been purchased for the project and constructions had already picked up in some of the facilities.
Dr Majevda stated that the Mama Lucy Hospital, as well as Mbagathi Hospital, would be fitted with fully-equipped trauma centres.
Director of Medical Services Jackson Kioko endorsed the project observing that many of the hospitals within the city remained at a low status due to insufficient input adding that the move would ease the pressure on KNH.
"A hospital like Mbagathi is closing at six in the evening at a time when many people are struggling to access services.
"There will be no more cases of people admitting themselves or mothers taking their children to KNH for immunisation. Such functions should be carried out at the lower level facilities," Dr Kioko stated.
[caption caption="Image of the entrance to the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital that is set to be upgraded with a trauma centre"]
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