Traditionally Tanariver women could not access specialized services and had to eighter incur huge costs to travel to Malindi, Mombasa or Garissa
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has launched a multi-million shiling ultramodern maternity wing at Hola Referral Hospital in Tana River.
Kenyatta also brought a container with medical gear worth Sh 40 million to equip the maternity which has a 60-bed capacity.
Traditionally, Tana River women deliver home owing to cultural beliefs. In additional there is a shortage of hospitals in the area. However, that situation appears set to change after the onset of devolution and the new facility that has brought health services closer to the people.
Kenyatta told residents after the launch that the new equipment donated to the maternity wing was made possible by Project Area- a foundation of philanthropists from the US who are supporting more than 130 nations in the world.
‘‘This is the fifth container we are delivering to help county governments. It has medical equipment, laboratory facilities, ultrasound machines, diagnostic equipment which will boost patient safety and ensure patients get treatment easily,’’ she said.
The First Lady said she was happy to have laid the foundation of the new maternity wing and renal unit in 2016.
‘‘In the last visit, I was touched by the plight of women, today I feel encouraged to see the level of development and focused leadership," she said.
Kenyatta said she was happy to hear there are an increased number of dispensaries in the past five years and the developments at Hola hospital.
