The Kakamega government intends to borrow Sh2 billion to equip Sh10 billion
Kakamega County Referral and Teaching hospital, governor Wycliffe Oparanya has said.
The 750-bed hospital will become the health service hub in Western once complete.
Oparanya said that the money will also be used to equip the two new level 4 hospitals in Mumias town and Shamakhubu in Shinyalu.
“The state of the art facility will provide comprehensive healthcare besides promoting health tourism. We have engaged international partners and the donor community to fast track its completion. Phase 1 will be equipped and commissioned soon,” he said.
During last year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kakamega, President Uhuru Kenyatta asked Oparanya to engage Health CS Sicily Kariuki and work out on how the hospital would be equipped.
Oparanya said that plans to upgrade health centres in Khwisero, Shinyalu, Mumias East, Mumias West and Navakholo sub counties where such facilities need improvement is ongoing.
“We plan to strengthen subcounty hospitals by posting specialists to the facilities. They will be supported by referrals of consultant doctors, thus cutting down costs for patients at the county general hospital,” he said.
Oparanya spoke when he opened the third session of the second county assembly on Tuesday afternoon.
He said his government is identifying and registering the most vulnerable citizens to the NHIF medical insurance scheme to support the community increase universal health coverage, in line with the Big Four agenda.
So far, 8, 840 vulnerable individuals plus 200 old people spread out in all wards have been registered.
Oparanya said the construction of two flagship factories for processing tea and dairy products is now at the design stage and they will be launched soon.
The multi-billion dairy processing plant will be constructed in Malava and a tea factory in Shinyalu constituency.
“We also plan to construct two jua kali sheds in each of the 12 constituencies to spur the county’s industrial growth," she said.
The governor said his government has started a process of ensuring safe drinking water for all by 2022.
“My
government has embarked on construction of a 5,000 cubic metres water storage tank in Kakamega town at a cost of Sh87 million," he said.
This project comes at a time when plans are underway to upgrade Kakamega town into city status, thus the necessity
to prepare for the anticipated growth in population.