Expectant mothers in Likuyani, Kakamega County, are set to benefit from a maternity wing currently under construction at Likuyani Level IV Hospital.
The Sh90 million facility is part of the county's broader initiative to enhance maternal healthcare services.
It is being developed under the Tutunze Kakamega program, which focuses on improving healthcare infrastructure and outcomes across the region.
Governor Fernandes Barasa, who officially launched the project, described the maternity wing as the largest of its kind in the county’s history.
“This will be the biggest maternity facility ever built in Kakamega. It marks a major step forward in our commitment to ensuring safe and quality healthcare for mothers and newborns,” he said.
The project is being constructed in collaboration with Jacaranda Health, Thinkwell, ThinkPlace and Harvard University to implement projects in the health sector under the service delivery redesign.
“This new hospital facility is projected to be complete by January 2026 and will have a bed capacity, thus drastically improving delivery services as the current capacity is only 18 beds,” he said.
Barasa elaborated that the facility at Likuyani sub-county hospital is unique since it will have a labour ward, theatre, an ante-natal and post-natal unit, a newborn unit, a kangaroo room and a manicured park for patients.
This initiative aims at achieving Sustainable Development Goal number 3, which targets reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
“Once complete and fully operational, the facility will witness a steady increase from 130 to 300 delivery sessions per month,” he said.
Jacaranda Health Country Director Job Makogo noted that county government of Kakamega has so far implemented similar projects in Malava, Lumakanda, Matungu and Butere hospitals.
“Through these strategic interventions, we intend to radically change the way services are offered in the health sector, enable expectant mothers to access quality information and facilities with competent medical personnel and appropriate equipment,” he said.
However, Governor Barasa acknowledged various challenges being faced in the implementation of the Social Health Authority services.
He reiterated the need for lawmakers to amend the policy that regulates annual contributions to allow citizens to make monthly contributions.
