The Kiambu government has begun upgrading Igegania Level 4 Hospital in Gatundu North to a Level 5 facility as it seeks to improve health services delivery.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi. who made an impromptu visit at the facility on Monday, said crucial amenities will be put up to enhance provision of quality services, noting that the hospital has ample space for expansion.
“This shows how this facility is crucial and that’s why my administration has prioritised it for rehabilitation and upgrade so that we can expand the range of medical services delivered,” he said.
Wamatangi also said the facility lacked adequate drugs, adding that patients are being forced to buy them from chemists within the area. He quipped that proper plans will be put in place to have the hospital as well as other facilities well stocked with drugs.
“Even the manner in which drugs are being stored in this facility is not right. We are coming up with a plan that will see proper and controlled stocking and storage of drugs in our health facilities.
"We want to bring to an end the trend of patients being referred to chemists to buy drugs, which are being provided by the county government,” he said.
Wamatangi’s predecessor James Nyoro early this year launched the construction of a central medical store at the Ruiru Level 4 Hospital to stabilise provision of medical supplies to the 108 health facilities within the county.
The facility is expected to ensure reliable supplies, avoid low stock levels or expired drugs, ensure value for money, and ensure uninterrupted sustainable health services provision.
The governor at the same time said the county government will deploy more medics and specialists at Igegania hospital.
Gatundu North MP said he is in talks with Athi Water Services Board and the Ministry of Water to have the hospital supplied with sufficient clean water from the Kariminu II dam.
“Lack of water at this facility has been a major concern to a point that mothers who came to deliver here are required to carry water in jerrycans from their homes.
"I have reached out to the relevant authorities to have the hospital supplied with adequate water from Kariminu II dam which is already complete,” Njoroge said.
Residents welcomed the hospital upgrade project saying it was long overdue. They said provision of vital amenities at the facility will end their suffering of seeking better medical services in far-flung hospitals.
“We are glad that we will be accessing quality health services here once the upgrade works are complete. We are also happy that a morgue will be put up here and we will no longer take our dead to morgues in Thika or Nairobi,” said Gabriel Ngugi, a resident.
Upgrade of the hospital to a Level 5 facility will bring the total number of such hospitals in Kiambu to three which will include Thika and Kiambu Level 5 hospitals.
-Edited by SKanyara