• There is a rising demand for MCH services as teen pregnancies escalate
• Upcoming facility will ensure they don't suffer from stigma, which hurts their learning
Image: FAITH MATETE
The Kisumu government has partnered with Safaricom Foundation to build a Mother and Child (MCH) specialist hospital in the area.
Speaking at Ratta in Seme subcountry on Tuesday, Governor Anyang Nyong'o said construction will start soon to meet the rising demand for specialised MCH services.
"The facility will have a special component for teenage mothers to allow them to continue with their studies as the children are taken care of at the hospital," he said.
This comes in the wake of rising teenage pregnancies, which impede girls' education.
Support to teenage mothers, he said, is paramount to enable them to proceed with their studies and at the same time ensure the children have access to proper medical care and nutrition.
This, he added, would ensure that they don't suffer from stigma, which in the end affects their learning.
Nyong’o said holistic support to the girl child is critical to enabling them unleash their full potential.
The governor spoke as he received Nyamira Girls High School hockey team, which lifted the East Africa Secondary Schools Girls' hockey title in Rwanda.
The champions defeated Kakungulu Memorial, Tigoi Girls, St Mark's Namagunga, Gayaza High School, Bwaranyangi Girls and St Joseph Girls Kitale to lift the regional title.
Nyong'o congratulated the team for making Nyanza region and Kenya proud.
He gave a personal donation of Sh300,000 to the team to support them as they proceed to represent Africa at the World Inter-Schools Championships in Serbia.
Ten members of the team hail from Ratta village and are beneficiaries of a hockey academy rolled out at Ratta Primary School in 2014 to promote the sport.
The initiative, he said, has had a positive impact on the girls, adding that his government is committed to supporting talent development and sports.
"My government values sports and has been giving it priority since I came to office in 2017," he said.
Nyong'o further said that through a collaboration with the national government, the county had built the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo.
Besides hosting the Africities summit last year, it is currently serving as the home ground for national Premier League side Gor Mahia.
The county government is now rehabilitating Moi Stadium and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex, which will soon be open to the public.