New Sh27m maternal, child hospital to benefit 15,000 Makueni residents

Mpesa Foundation together with the County Government of Makueni on Monday commissioned a maternal and child hospital that will serve over 15,000 residents.

The Mpesa Foundation chairman Nicholas Nganga said they invested Sh 27 million towards Tawa Maternity and Newborn unit in Mbooni East Sub-county.

The unit was built by Safaricom and fully equipped by the County Government of Makueni.

Makueni County government equipped the facility at a cost of Sh4.8 million.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior presided over the commissioning.

The function was attended by various dignitaries drawn from the cooperate, national and Makueni County Governments.

Nairobi Security Exchange chairman Kiprono Kittony also attended the facility’s commissioning.

“The health facility will be crucial in reducing referrals and bringing services closer to residents of Mbooni sub-County. It will also contribute to reducing maternal and child health mortality,” Nganga said.

Kilonzo Junior said Tawa Sub County Hospital had been a vital healthcare institution in the community for decades.

He said the level 4 facility had been providing both inpatient and outpatient services to a catchment population of 15,730 people, serving not only Makueni County but also parts of Machakos County.

“Before the construction of the new mother and child unit, the maternity ward had a modest capacity of 6 beds and 3 incubators. While the staff worked tirelessly to provide quality care, the limitations in infrastructure were evident. Recognizing the need for improved maternal and neonatal services, the hospital management team took the initiative and proposed a project to the MPESA Foundation in March 2022,” he said.

He said the Foundation generously granted a sum of Sh27 million in June 2022, providing the necessary funding to make the project a reality.

"Construction of the new maternity and newborn unit commenced on September 5th, 2022, and was completed in March 2023, thanks to the diligent efforts of the company entrusted with the task," Kilonzo Junior said.

Kilonzo Junior said in June 2023 as part of the collaborative partnership, the devolved government equipped the facility with equipment worth approximately Sh5m.

The newly constructed wing he said boasts a capacity of 20 beds, including 5 modern incubators and 5 large baby cots. 

It has been designed to offer a comfortable and supportive environment for both mother and child, reflecting our commitment to providing the highest quality of care.

The facility has a general ward with a capacity of 25 beds, a pediatric ward with 15 beds, and a range of other services such as surgical services, medical services, obstetrics, gynaecology, theatre, dental care, radiology, laboratory, physiotherapy, nutrition, public health, pharmacy, psychological counselling, and orthopaedic services.

The governor said the new facility addresses several challenges that were faced by the hospital, including the lack of a designated post-Caesarean section ward, the absence of a dedicated gynaecological ward, and the need for updated ultrasound equipment, which is essential for quality maternal care.

"I would like to express my appreciation to the hospital management team, the dedicated medical personnel, and all those who have contributed their time, effort, and expertise to bring this project to fruition,” Kilonzo Junior said.

He said with the project's completion, they aim to improve the accessibility and quality of maternal and neonatal services in the community.

"The new maternity wing will cater to sick babies, including preterm infants, ensuring they receive the specialized care they need. Our goal is to provide a comfortable and supportive environment that promotes the well-being of both mothers and their children,” he said.