Kirinyaga: New Sagana trauma centre to be a game changer for emergency care

The new trauma centre being constructed at Sagana along the busy Kenol Marua dual carriageway.

The new cutting-edge facility is being constructed with the aim of providing rapid, life-saving treatment to accident victims mainly along Murang’a-Sagana, Kenol-marua, Sagana-Kagio-Kutus and Makutano-Embu highways among others.

The facility that is established in partnership with the national government is set to be completed by the end of the current financial year and will improve the survival rate of trauma victims in the region.

Speaking while on an assessment visit of the project, Health County Executive Committee Member George Karoki said a more effective emergency response system has always been a need due to the busy nature of the highways that record many accidents.

The two-storey facility will have surgical theaters and diagnostic imaging centres equipped with cutting-edge technology all aimed at enabling the fastest possible response to accident victims.

“This is not just another hospital as it is designed to cater to the specific needs of crash victims, who are currently referred to other facilities for specialised care,” Karoki said.

He said its strategic location along the busy Kenol-Sagana-Marua dual carriage will help reduce the time between the accident and medical intervention that can be the difference between life and death.

Karoki said the facility will see Sagana Subcounty Hospital raised to a level 4 hospital with an increased capacity of about 95 beds, a six-bed ICU unit, a six-bed HDU, a CT Scan and MRI among other amenities.

Kirinyaga health CECM George Karoki at the new trauma centre in Sagana.

The county government has also been enhancing primary healthcare through the construction and operationalisation of dispensaries across the county, with 13 new ones having been opened while seven others are lined up for commissioning.

Residents and leaders have celebrated the construction of the trauma centre saying they have witnessed loss of many lives from accidents along the busy highways, especially involving motorcyclists. 

Kariti MCA Jeremia Makimi said the hospital is very strategic in catering for accident victims, especially along the Kenol-Marua highway, which he said has claimed 53 victims in the last two years.

He noted that though the dualling of the highway is expected to reduce the number of accidents, many accidents are still reported especially those involving motorcyclists.

“Many accident victims are given first aid at the hospital but in case they require specialized treatment, they have to be referred to Kerugoya Hospital or Nyeri which causes delayed lifesaving care,” the MCA said.

Francis Maina, a fruit vendor in Sagana Town said many motorcycle accidents occur along the dual carriageway and that the emergency centre will help some of the victims.

His sentiments were echoed by Josphat Kibia, a pastor at Born Again Church in Sagana who said the trauma center will greatly reprieve locals especially as they travel along black spots such as Kibirigwi and Kiangwaci.

“Many people who are transferred to Nyeri or Kerugoya have to be transported through the two black spots, further putting their lives at risk.”