County's first Level 6 hospital opens doors after 30 years

Mama Margaret Kenyatta Children Hospital has opened its doors to the public after 30 years of stalling

Formerly known as Mathare-Korogocho hospital, the facility was put up in the early 90s but was grounded.

However, Nairobi Metropolitan Services in July 2021, was charged with reviving its completion.

The five-storey Level 6 hospital is expected to reduce the patient load at Mama Lucy Hospital which serves more than 2.1 million residents in Eastlands.

Last Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the commissioning.

The hospital's 350-bed capacity will be managed by the Kenyatta National Hospital to ensure that all residents access health services without risk.

"The NMS revived it in July 2021, after stalling for over 30 years due to administrative and financial constraints," Uhuru saids.

"Since we started constructing hospitals across the city, I have been informed that pressure has eased at KNH."

NMS Director General Mohamed Badi said the facility will have inpatient and outpatient services, 24-hour pharmacy, burns unit and staff quarters.

Other services to be offered include renal dialysis, radiology services, tuberculosis management, autopsy, pathology, chemotherapy, forensic services as well as patient admission wards and an intensive care unit and theatres.

The hospital will dedicate a floor for injured boda boda riders.

“The hospital will have a floor for women, children, boda boda riders and another one for men. It will also have its own mortuary,” Badi said.

NMS Director of Health Services Dr Ouma Oluga revealed that 162 health workers are already deployed at the facility including specialists.

He said the facility will be operating as a specialised Level 6 paediatric hospital but they will engage further to make sure other services are offered.

Kenyatta also showered Oluga with praises for transforming the city's health sector.

He said they have a good working relationship with the former secretary general of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union.

"I want to thank Dr Oluga, ...unajua huyu jamaa tulikua tunachapana (we used to fight a lot when he was at the union), but I told him to come and work with me." Uhuru said.

"We now understand each other and look at what we have achieved by working together."

Last year,  NMS signed a Memorandum with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology to have their students pursuing medical courses undertake their practical studies at the hospital.

NMS had received equipment worth Sh400 million from the national government ahead of the opening of the hospital.

It also requested the Treasury for another Sh200 million.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)