Residents of Kiamwathi and Kianjiru in Gichugu constituencies are enjoying affordable healthcare a month after Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru opened two new dispensaries.
The two dispensaries have already served thousands of people who would previously travel for kilometres in search of medical care.
The dispensaries were completed by the county in an accelerated programme meant to complete and equip 19 dispensary projects that had been left incomplete by the previous regime.
Kiamwathi dispensary received more than 500 patients in the first one week of operation.
This is an indication that there has been great need to bring such services closer to the people.
Caroline Wanjiru, a young mother who had brought her baby for child welfare clinic, said that previously they had to travel to Kianyaga Subcounty Hospital for such services.
“We had to spend at least Sh200 on transport to the nearest facility and waste a lot of time just to go to the child clinic," Wanjiru said.
"That is why we are very grateful since we can access the services at our convenience.”
She said that there is no congestion and the services are very swift.
Her sentiments were echoed by Lucy Njeri Gichobi from Thimu village who came to seek treatment at the same facility.
Gichobi said that the dispensary had brought the long awaited relief to the residents.
She appreciated the short turn-around time at the dispensary, saying there are no long queues and drugs are available at no fee.
Other patients who gave their testimonies expressed gratitude for the accessibility of free medical services, saying that it was long overdue.
Morris Kaburu, the nurse in charge at Kiamwathi dispensary, said that they receive an average of 60 patients per day.
He said that some of the services offered at the facility include consultancy, anti-natal care, maternal and child healthcare, pharmacy and family planning, among others.
Kaburu said that before the dispensary was opened, residents used to seek treatment in Kianyaga, Gatugura and Kabare hospitals.
Kianjiru dispensary has also received a warm welcome from residents. The level 2 facility has also seen a steady flow of patients.
Eunice Nyawira, who is the nurse in charge, said that the facility has particularly been of great help to the schools fraternity. She said that the facility registers at least 60 patients daily.
“The community has really embraced the facility and are very grateful that they can now get treatment and the medication they required right in their village,” Nyawira said.
She added that, apart from the outpatient services that they are offering, residents in need of further investigations or treatment can be referred to more advanced hospitals.
While opening the two facilities, Governor Waiguru said that her administration was committed to provision of affordable and accessible healthcare.
She said dispensaries will go a long way in enhancement of primary healthcare.
The governor added that by completing the stalled dispensaries, the county aimed at saving the beneficiaries from traveling long distances, including using more money in search of healthcare services.
“With good primary healthcare at our dispensaries, we will reduce congestion at other hospitals and allow them to effectively handle more complex health matters,” she said.
Waiguru said her administration has invested heavily in infrastructural development of various health facilities which include upcoming Kerugoya Level Five Hospital.
Others include upgrading of Kianyaga and Kimbimbi from level four hospitals to level five, efforts aimed at achieving universal health coverage.
