Africa-Press – Kenya. The Homa Bay government on Wednesday launched construction of an accident and emergency centre at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The move is a big step toward making the health facility a Level 5.
Governor Gladys Wanga said the construction of the Sh200 million facility is expected to end in months and then they will ask the national government to elevate the status of the hospital. This will enable it get financial support and handle other ailments which it could not before.
During the ground breaking ceremony, Wanga said her administration will strive to ensure residents have access to health services with ease.
“Construction of the facility is a step towards improving health services in Homa Bay. We prioritise health to address medical challenges we frequently face,” Wanga said.
Present were national director of medical services Andrew Mulwa and Homa Bay Health executive Roslyn Omollo.
Mulwa and other health officials toured the facility to access the level of the hospital’s preparedness.
The director said they will work closely with Homa Bay government and provide the necessary support.
Part of the support includes paying stipend to community health volunteers. Wanga’s administration has begun paying Sh2,000 stipend to each of the 2,954 CHVs.
Another benefit the group enjoys is for National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) enrolment .
Mulwa said the state will give additional Sh2,500 to each CHV.
“The Ministry of Health has already obtained a data base which will be used to pay the community health volunteers. We appreciate the good work they are doing in the society,” Mulwa said.
Homa Bay government will also get technological support at the hospital.
Mulwa added that the new facility will be equipped by the state.
“The Ministry of Health wants to make public health facilities to offer services just like private ones. This will ensure we achieve the universal health coverage,” he added.
Homa Bay County Assembly led by Speaker Julius Gaya has already promised to approve funds for the construction of the project.
The county government will embark on improving other health facilities. Among them is establishing a child and mother hospital.
This is meant to reduce the burden at the referral hospital’s maternity unit.
Wanga said the current maternity wing handles cases three times its capacity.
“This health facility should start handling complicated cases. Homa Bay Referral Hospital should no longer handle only ailments that can be handled at the lower level,” Wanga said.
Other plans are putting up a new mortuary. Homa Bay referral hospital has a mortuary that can accommodate 15 bodies if each is put in a cold storage compartment.
“My administration is also focusing on Level 2 and three hospital to ensure they can accommodate patients as well,” she said.
-Edited by SKanyara
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