The World Bank will fund a Sh50 million mother and newborn facility in Elgeyo Marakwet.
Governor Alex Tolgos said on Saturday the Mother and Baby Centre is expected to be completed in six months and will ease congestion at maternity wards at Iten County Referral Hospital.
He said it will be the largest and most modern health facility in the region.
The two-storey facility will have 80 beds in eight maternity wards, an operating theatre, ICU units and other facilities.
It will be one of the legacy projects for Tolgos who completes his second term next year.
“This will be a milestone in ensuring quality maternity services in the county and neighbouring areas," Tolgos said.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility was presided over by Governor Tolgos, county assembly health committee chairman Sharach Lulley and Cherang'any Chebororwa MCA Tich Cheboi.
Tolgos has urged the contractor to ensure the project is completed in time and insisted on high-quality workmanship.
"We'd rather extend the timeframe and get value for money instead of compromising workmanship to beat timelines," Tolgos said.
“I want a project the people of Elgeyo Marakwet will be proud of in years to come," Tolgos told workers at the site.
The governor said a master plan was necessary for the or the referral hospital so structures are not put up haphazardly.
In addition, Tolgos said World Bank funding through the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP) would facilitate construction of a modern theatre at Kaptarakwa Health Centre in Keiyo South .
It will also help put up hospital wards at Kapcherop and Chesoi Health Centres, in Marakwet West and East subcounties, respectively.
Architect Joseph Maswan said the project will not only ease congestion at but will also ensure mothers and children will well cared for.
Cheboi said the undertaking was milestone in the making and will create more jobs in the health department.
"This is going to be among the legacy projects for Tolgos, and we hope the county assembly will allocate a budget for equipping it," Cheboi said.
In attendance were county secretary Paul Chemuttut, chief officers Josphat Maiyo (health projects), Mark Chesergon (Office of the Governor), Timothy Kiptum (Agriculture) and International Centre for Reproductive Health medical superintendent Benjamin Kimaile.
(Edited by V. Graham)
