The 19 dispensaries being constructed by the Kirinyaga county government will be operational by end of the year, Governor Anne Waiguru has said.
She spoke on Tuesday during project inspection at Kavote and Mucagara dispensaries in Gichugu constituency.
The governor said the two dispensaries are among 19 dispensaries that the county government is currently completing, adding that more facilities are lined up for completion.
She noted that Kavote and Mucagara dispensaries will benefit about 3,000 residents who currently have to walk around eight kilometres to access the nearest health facilities.
Services to be offered at the dispensaries include outpatient, ante-natal, TB services, childcare and pharmacy services.
Patients will also get early detection of ailments that may require further investigation and treatment for which they can be referred to advanced facilities.
“With good primary healthcare at our dispensaries, we will reduce congestion at other hospitals and allow them to effectively handle more complex health matters,” the governor said.
Waiguru added that the facilities will save residents the time taken to seek healthcare services hence giving them more time to attend to other activities.
She noted that even as the county faces challenges posed by the corona virus, her administration’s priority is ensuring that there is access to healthcare services across the county.
Waiguru said that towards the achievement of universal health coverage, her administration has invested heavily in infrastructural development of the various health facilities in the county.
She cited the upcoming medical complex at Kerugoya County Referral Hospital as a game changer in the county’s health service delivery.
The complex which is expected to be completed by October will be one of the biggest referral hospitals in the region.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
