First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Wednesday received the visual presentations and artistic impressions of the proposed Beyond Zero model referral hospital that is planned for construction in coming months.
Although the Sh2.2 billion State-of-the-Art facility incorporates all the features of a modern hospital, the proposed health complex has special features that include the components of wellness, the promotion of the family and takes special care of those with physical and sensory challenges.
The new facility will stand on an area of 20,000 square metres, have a 150-bed capacity, 7-bed Intensive Care Unit and specially land-scaped healing/therapeutic gardens.
The proposed hospital is conceptualized in a modular format that ensures flexibility in terms of location and phased construction and equipping.
Although the new ultra-modern hospital is an all-inclusive facility, it lays special focus on mothers and children with additional facilities for emotional wellness for those rescued from gender violence and Female Genital Mutilation related health issues.
A modern bus station incorporated right outside the doors of the hospital is another key feature of the new facility to ensure quick accessibility by all patients.
The visual impressions of the hospital were presented to the First Lady by architects from Lexicon+ION and members of the Beyond Zero Secretariat.
After receiving the impressions, the First Lady described the concept as great work.
“You got [the concept] right. I love it. I can see [the hospital] already. Thank you,” Margaret said, beaming with optimism that her dream to put up the hospital was slowly crystallising.
The First Lady talked about the hospital for the first time last August when she made an extensive of the ultra-modern Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, that specialises in providing high quality maternal and child medical care.
During that visit, she presented her vision of the Beyond Zero hospital to the President of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka.
Other notable features of the proposed hospital is the use of Green architecture, maximum use of local natural materials, use of solar energy for lighting and use of treated rain water for its daily operations.
The hospital will also have both blood and human milk banks- a new concept in modern hospitals.
Earlier, the Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Toshitsugu Uesawa paid a courtesy call on the First Lady at State House where he delivered a personal message from Akie Abe, the spouse to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
In her message, Akie said she looks forward to visit Kenya this weekend during the Ticad conference, also being attended by the Japanese premier.
She also said she will be happy to prepare and serve Japanese cuisine to the VIPs at the Inter-Continental Hotel especially the First Ladies accompanying Heads of State and Government who will be attending the Ticad conference.
Uesawa said his country was appreciative of the great leadership by President Uhuru Kenyatta that has enabled the Ticad Conference to be held in Africa for the first time.