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Health

ROTARY CLUB BOOSTS MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE AT MBOONI HOSPITAL

Mbooni Sub-County Hospital has received a significant boost to its maternal and child healthcare services following a donation of essential medical equipment from the Rotary Club of Nairobi, Muthaiga North.

The donation includes ward beds, neonatal warmers, baby bassinets, weighing machines, a suction machine, a phototherapy unit, a resuscitaire, a delivery bed, and Kangaroo Mother Care beds, all aimed at improving safe delivery and newborn care.

According to the Club’s president Michael Otuoma, the initiative is part of their broader effort to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths while strengthening healthcare systems across the country.

Health CECM Joyce Mutua lauded the contribution, saying it complements the county government’s commitment under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr to expand partnerships that enhance quality healthcare for mothers and children.

Earlier, Mutua led her team for an inspection of the upcoming family hospital at the facility.Among those that accompanied her were Chief Officer Health Dr.Harvey Mulei, directors Dr.Stephen Mwatha, Dr.Erick Chomba among others.

GOVERNOR MUTULA DONATES LAND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN HOSPITAL

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has donated land for the construction of a modern maternity hospital in Utangwa as part of the county’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare services.

He also formally handed over a title deed for the Utangwa Police Station and announced plans to install high-mast floodlights in the area to improve security.

Governor Mutula made the announcements while addressing residents at Utangwa Catholic Parish during a fundraising event, where he was accompanied by Mbooni Member of Parliament, Nzioka Kivasu.

The governor urged Kenyans to register as voters expressing concern over the low voter registration turnout.

Mutula, who is the Vice Chairperson of the Wiper Patriotic Front, assured all prospective aspirants of a transparent nomination process.

THINKWELL GLOBAL DEEPENS COLLABORATION WITH MAKUENI TO STRENGTHEN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

On Thursday,ThinkWell Global leadership team visited Makueni to explore ways of strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery.

During the engagement with County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua, Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mbithi, and other senior health officials, the team discussed progress made under the Strategic Purchasing for Primary Health Care (SP4PHC) project, an initiative aimed at improving how health services are financed, managed, and delivered at the community level.

Mutua emphasized that partnerships like this are helping Makueni build a more responsive and sustainable health system.

The ThinkWell delegation also toured Kathonzweni Health Centre and Kiangini Dispensary, where they witnessed first-hand how local health workers are applying data-driven approaches to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.

Impressed by the county’s leadership and innovation in health governance, the team expressed optimism about scaling up the partnership to further advance universal health coverage in Makueni.

DIGITAL HEALTH PLATFORM BOOSTS KATHONZWENI HOSPITAL OWN SOURCE REVENUE TO KSH 1.7 MILLION

Kathonzweni Level 3 Hospital has recorded a major revenue breakthrough, hitting KSh 1.7 million in SHA claims last month, a sharp rise from the previous average of KSh 600,000 to 1.1 million.

The impressive jump follows the rollout of TIBERBU, a digital health claims system under Taifa Care.

Implemented by the Digital Health Authority, in partnership with the Makueni County Government, TIBERBU is transforming healthcare by digitising service delivery, enabling real-time SHA claims and reducing turnaround time for patient care.

During an inspection visit on Wednesday, CECM for Health Joyce Mutua commended the staff for team work and noted the system’s impact, in expediting patient care and ensuring timely claims from SHA.

She said SHA rembursements will be retained at the health facilities to improve hospital infrastructure, restocking essential supplies, and hire additional staff.

Mutua urged the community step up SHA registration, including schools who form the bulk of the hospital’s clients, to help sustain and expand access to quality healthcare services.

MAKUENI’S FIGHT AGAINST MATERNAL DEATHS EARNS GLOBAL RECOGNITION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Sunday addressed the World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Cape Town, South Africa, where he showcased Makueni County’s incredible strides in combating postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Makueni is the first county in Kenya to adopt the use of heat-stable carbetocin, a uterotonic drug that prevents PPH, through a partnership with Jhpiego since 2023.

Unlike oxytocin, which requires refrigeration to remain effective, heat-stable carbetocin retains its potency even in high temperatures, making it ideal for rural healthcare settings.

Thanks to this innovation, the county recorded zero maternal deaths from PPH in 2023 and 2024. Governor Mutula’s administration has further strengthened this effort by procuring calibrated drapes to accurately measure blood loss during delivery, replacing unreliable visual estimations.

In recognition of his efforts, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. was declared a global champion in the fight against maternal deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage.

He is accompanied by Chief Officer Health Dr. Harvey Mulei and Ag. Director preventive and Promotive Dr. Stephen Mwatha.

NEW MBOONI FAMILY HOSPITAL NEARS COMPLETION

Construction of the new Mbooni Family Hospital is 85% complete and on track for full completion by the end of October 2025.

The state-of-the-art facility, launched in May 2025, is set to boost healthcare services for residents of Mbooni and surrounding areas.

Once operational, the hospital will feature specialized neonatal and maternity wards, along with a range of clinical services, aiming to improve access to quality healthcare across the region.

During a recent site inspection, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Joyce Mutua, urged the contractor to prioritize timely delivery without compromising quality.

She emphasized the hospital’s critical role in enhancing health service delivery for Makueni County. Mutua was accompanied by CECM for Finance, Damaris Kavoi.

STUDY REVEALS HEAVY NCD BURDEN IN MAKUENI, WOMEN CARRY THE CAREGIVING LOAD

A new study by the Department of Health Services and the ARUA Centre of Excellence for Non-Communicable Diseases at the University of Nairobi has revealed statistics on the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and caregiving in Makueni County.

According to the research, which was conducted among a study sample size of 155 caregivers, they reported the majority of the recepients of care suffered from comorbidity (more than one non-communicable disease). Majority of the recipients of care were diagnosed with hypertension (74.1%), followed by diabetes at 37.8%, chronic respiratory diseases at 8.4%, cancer at 6.3%, and other cardiovascular diseases at 3.5%.

_NB: These are proportions from a small study sample._

The findings also highlight the disproportionate burden of caregiving, with 69% of caregivers being women compared to 31% men.

Among care recipients, women account for 65%, while only 1% of caregivers receive payment, leaving 99% unpaid.

Speaking during the dissemination meeting on Thursday at the Mother and Child Hospital, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili cautioned against leaving children with caregiving responsibilities, terming it a violation of their right to education.

She reaffirmed the county’s commitment to work with the national government once the proposed national NCD caregiver policy is developed, to ease the pressure on caregivers already stretched to their limits.

Health CECM Joyce Mutua urged political leaders to embrace the study’s findings and use their platforms to advocate for reducing the rising NCD prevalence.

On his part, Professor Charles Nzioka of the University of Nairobi noted that the ultimate goal is to develop a national NCD policy that recognizes, reduces, and redistributes the burden of care work on women and girls, thereby promoting gender equity and improving their well-being.

MAKUENI RALLIES BEHIND GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO END POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE

Makueni County joined the rest of the world in commemorating World PPH Run Day, raising awareness about postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) — a leading cause of maternal deaths, responsible for nearly 50% of such fatalities globally.

Health professionals, local residents, and advocacy partners gathered in Wote for the awareness run under the global theme “Run for Her”, emphasizing the urgency of preventing PPH through early intervention and community education.

Leading the event, Martha Munyao, CEO of Makueni County Referral Hospital, called on expectant mothers to attend regular antenatal clinics and ensure hospital deliveries.

Munyao also praised the efforts of Jhpiego and other health partners for their pivotal role in combatting PPH, especially through the introduction of heat-stable carbetocin, a tablet proven to significantly reduce blood loss after childbirth and potentially eliminate PPH-related deaths.

Teresia Maweu, Reproductive Health Coordinator, encouraged the public to support the cause by donating blood, a life-saving resource in managing severe blood loss during and after delivery.

MAKUENI SHINES IN FAMILY PLANNING AS COUNTY RECORDS 64% MODERN CONTRACEPTIVE PREVELENCE RATE UPTAKE

Makueni County has been hailed as a model for family planning in Kenya, boasting a modern contraceptive prevalence rate of 64 percent against the National’s 57%.

The recognition came from the Ministry of Health and development partners during the national World Contraceptive Day celebrations held at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote on Friday.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Albert Ndwiga, the Ministry of Health’s Family Planning Program Manager, praised Makueni’s progressive strides, noting this as a key reason the county was chosen to host the national event.

He urged men to actively support their partners in family planning initiatives and challenged those who undermine the progress.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili highlighted milestones achieved, including integrating family planning into maternal health services, particularly in the immediate postpartum period, leading to reduced maternal deaths linked to unintended pregnancies.

She commended the role of community health promoters who champion family planning at the household level.

Mulili also called on the national government to strengthen data systems and enhance accountability to ensure evidence-based policies and equitable resource allocation.

MAKUENI TO HOST NATIONAL WORLD CONTRACEPTIVE DAY CELEBRATIONS

Makueni County will on Friday play host to the national celebrations of World Contraceptive Day at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote.

The event, themed “A Choice for All: Agency, Intention and Access,” provides a platform to showcase progress, share best practices, and reflect on the gaps that remain in access and use of contraceptives across the country.

Makueni stands out as a model county, having surpassed Kenya’s average modern contraceptive prevalence rate recording an impressive 64 percent uptake compared to the national figure of 57 percent.

This success is attributed to high postpartum family planning adoption through initiatives like the Anita Mbinya Foundation and Jhpiego, innovative community engagement, strong political commitment, and sustainable investment , including the establishment of a dedicated family planning budget line.

The celebration is expected to attract senior Ministry of Health officials alongside Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., among other dignitaries.