The Catholic Medical Mission, an NGO, on Tuesday opened a Sh7 million maternity wing at Kilambani dispensary, Kitui South subcounty.
The NGO funded its construction.
The fully-equipped maternity wing has resuscitators, oxygen concentrators, suction machines, delivery beds and phototherapy light units among others.
Kitui Health executive Winnie Kitetu thanked the NGO, led by their president Mary Powers, for its dedication to maternal and newborn health.
“It is a great milestone for everyone in Kitui South,” Kitetu said.
She said the availability of the only maternity wing in Mutha ward will ensure no child dies at birth and no mother dies during delivery.
The health executive said it was Governor Charity Ngilu’s desire for zero maternal and newborn deaths and the provision of quality healthcare.
The setting up of the facility will ensure accessible and affordable health care services to all Kitui residents.
Kitetu said the department would strive to take healthcare services closer to the people notwithstanding budgetary constraints.
She said she gets an annual budget allocation of Sh3.6 billion out of which Sh2.4 billion is gobbled up by recurrent expenses living little for actual healthcare.
“I understand resources will never be enough, but I will strive to maximise what is at my disposal,” Kitetu said.
She appealed to partners to help Ngilu’s administration attain its health care goals.
Powers reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to channelling more resources and support to Kitui South to secure the health of mothers and newborn children.
“Health is really about the people,” the CMMB president said.
She thanked the Kitui health department for the commitment it had shown towards the success of the Kalambani maternity wing project.
Powers said she was overwhelmed by the diligence and dedication of healthcare workers.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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