Health

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Wednesday commissioned new medical equipment at Makueni County Referral Hospital, marking a major boost to surgical and diagnostic services.

Among the additions is a modern diathermy monopolar machine that uses high-frequency electric currents to cut, coagulate or destroy tissue during surgery, significantly reducing blood loss.

The hospital also received infusion pumps, operating lights and tables, anesthesia machines, patient monitors for theatre and transit use, and a traction bed designed for orthopedic procedures.

A key highlight is a modern laparoscopic tower purchased by the county government. The mobile, integrated workstation supports minimally invasive surgeries and features high-resolution 4K UHD cameras, monitors, light sources, oxygen insufflators and suction systems that enhances precision, visualization and surgeon comfort.

In addition, the facility acquired a digital X-ray system that uses electronic detectors instead of film. The technology converts images into digital files within minutes, enabling faster diagnosis, improved image quality and reduced radiation exposure compared to conventional X-rays.

Governor Mutula noted that the high cost of medical equipment remains a major challenge for counties. He said the new acquisitions have enabled Makueni to expand operating theatres from two to four.

Hospital management reported that on busy days the X-ray unit handles between 70 and 80 patients, and the new equipment is expected to ease congestion and shorten waiting times.

Consultant general surgeon and endoscopist Dr. Alex Ombati said the upgrades will reduce referrals, allowing the hospital to manage even complex cases locally.

The equipment was procured through a collaboration between the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP) and county governments.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has commended the Safaricom Foundation for its heavy investment in maternal and child health in Makueni County, saying the support demonstrates a strong commitment to saving lives and strengthening local healthcare systems.

Speaking during the commissioning of the county’s second-largest Mother and Child Unit, Governor Mutula said the partnership will ensure mothers receive skilled, dignified and quality healthcare services close to their homes.

He noted that the new facility is expected to significantly reduce maternal and neonatal deaths, cut down unnecessary referrals, and provide a safe and supportive environment for childbirth.

The Governor reaffirmed that his administration will continue to prioritize healthcare through sustained investment in modern infrastructure, essential medical equipment and competent human resources.

Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu revealed that Makueni has benefited from more than 100 development projects over the 20 years of partnership between the Foundation, counties and other institutions.

He added that boosting maternal healthcare remains a top priority for Safaricom Foundation, noting that Kibwezi East Sub County Hospital is set to benefit from a similar intervention.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili echoed the Governor’s sentiments, saying development partners are drawn to regions with strong and credible leadership.

Among those who also flanked the governor are MCAs from the health Committee, County Assembly clerk Kevin Mutuku,CECMs Joyce Mutua{ Health}, Damaris Kavoi { Finance}, Japheth Mang’oka{ Education} Chief Officers Dr. Harvey Mulei { Health Human resource, Management & Administration} Eng.Naomi Nthambi {Ag. CO Health Services} Eng. David Makau { Water}, Felistus Mutune { Office of the Governor} Irene Makau Mwilu {Education } among other county staff

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the Safaricom Foundation chairman Joseph Ogutu on Friday officially commissioned the Sultan Hamud Mother and Child Wing in a ceremony attended by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili , the county Assembly Health Committee,County assembly clerk Hon Ken Mutuku and members of the public.

The new 50-bed facility, now the second largest maternity unit in the County, marks a major boost for maternal and newborn care in the region. It replaces an overstretched 12-bed maternity wing that served patients from Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado counties.

According to Sultan Hamud Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Stephen Mwangangi, congestion in the old unit forced mothers to share a single bed with their newborns.

Despite these challenges, the hospital recorded 168 successful deliveries in December last year alone, underscoring the urgent need for expanded maternity services.

The facility is a result of a partnership between the Makueni County Government and the Safaricom Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.

The project aligns with the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027, which prioritizes donor coordination and the co-creation of community-driven projects to build a resilient local economy.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. is set to commission the Sultan Hamud Mother and Child Wing at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital on Friday.

The 50-bed maternity unit & the second largest mother-and-child facility in the county after the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital, is equipped with an in-built operating theatre, a newborn unit and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The facility also features a labour ward with three delivery beds, enabling three women to deliver simultaneously. In addition, it includes prenatal and postnatal wards, a post-caesarean section ward, a gynaecology ward and a Kangaroo Mother Care unit.

On the same day, the Department of Health Services has organised a free medical camp that will offer outpatient services, screening for non-communicable diseases, cervical cancer screening and other essential health services.

The Mother and Child Hospital Unit is a partnership between the M-Pesa Foundation and the Makueni County Government. In December alone, 168 mothers delivered at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital. Despite limited space, medical staff successfully managed the mothers and their newborns with care.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Monday officially commissioned the Ngaakaa Level 3 Health Facility in Makindu–Twaandu Ward, marking a significant boost to healthcare access for residents of the area.

The facility, constructed through a partnership between the County Government of Makueni, World Vision Kenya and the Mountain Blue Foundation, is expected to serve a population of more than 8,000 people in the ward and its surrounding areas.

During the commissioning ceremony, the Governor also unveiled four one-bedroom en-suite staff quarters, two 15-kilogram commercial heavy-duty laundry machines that are Wi-Fi enabled and can be operated remotely, and a 50-kilowatt-hour powerhouse. The power system will run critical equipment, including an X-ray machine, a sterilizer, an ultrasound unit and all laboratory equipment at the facility.

Ngaakaa Level 3 Health Facility comprises a fully equipped Mother and Child Hospital that will oversee antenatal and postnatal services, cervical cancer screening and child welfare clinics, complete with a patient waiting bay. The facility also features an acute care room, a fully functional pharmacy and laboratory, a modern 15-bed maternity wing, an isolation ward and several consultation rooms.

The Governor further noted that his administration remains keen on promoting universal health coverage. He said the newly commissioned health facility reflects the county’s commitment to achieving this goal.

He also announced that Makindu Sub-County Hospital will soon begin offering dialysis services following the recent posting of a nephrologist, a move he said will ease the burden on patients who previously had to seek the services at Makueni County Referral Hospital in Wote.

Residents of Makindu Ward on Monday benefited from a free integrated medical outreach at the newly established Ngakaa Level 3 Health Facility, organized by the County Government and targeting at least 2,000 people.

The outreach brought a wide range of essential health services closer to the community, including cancer screening, eye screening, ENT and dental services, ophthalmology, mental health screening, reproductive health services, non-communicable disease (NCD) screening, immunization for children under five, and laboratory services. Patients also received treatment and prescribed medication at the facility.

The initiative underscored the county’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare, particularly for underserved communities.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and World Vision National Director Gilbert Kamanga were present at the facility during the exercise.

The World Vision team, led by National Director Gilbert Kamanga, on Monday toured the Mother and Child Hospital ahead of the commissioning of the Ngaakaa Level 3 Health Facility later in the day at Makindu Ward, Kibwezi West.

The visit sought to explore opportunities for strengthened partnership in the delivery of healthcare services.

Health Services CECM Joyce Mutua and Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei on Friday commended healthcare workers at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for outstanding performance, after the facility successfully handled 168 deliveries in December last year despite having a maternity bed capacity of just 11.

The commendation came as the County prepares to commission a new 57-bed Mother and Child Wing at the hospital, a major investment expected to significantly expand access to quality maternal and child healthcare services in the region.

The new facility is being constructed through a partnership initiated by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., with support from the MPESAFoundation. Once completed, the wing will offer a wide range of services, including neonatal care, antenatal services, obstetric and gynecological care, as well as consultative services, among others.

The county health leadership made the remarks during a routine supervisory visit to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital, where they held a meeting with the health management technical team to assess service delivery and operational challenges.

Dr. Mulei attributed the rising number of deliveries at the facility to its strategic location, noting that the hospital serves not only residents of Makueni County but also patients from neighbouring Kajiado and Machakos counties.

Ag. Director for Preventive and Promotive Health, Dr. Stephen Mwatha, emphasized the need for enhanced training on family-centred, point-of-care approaches in maternity services to strengthen collaboration and improve maternal health outcomes.

Mutua also commended the hospital for effectively integrating HIV services into routine care, observing that stigma among people living with HIV had significantly reduced as a result of the integrated approach.

The meeting was attended by members of the hospital’s Board of Management, led by Chairperson Major Leonard Kasyoka, who echoed the call for continued investment in infrastructure and capacity building to match the growing demand for services at the facility.