• An education campaign and free maternity services contributed to the high numbers.
• New wing completed for outpatients, will have a trauma section for WRC rally drivers.
The campaign by health workers to encourage mothers to deliver in hospitals is succeeding in Naivasha.
Data from the hospital show the number of deliveries doubled from 300 to 600 in the last one year due to the ongoing campaign.
The hospital serves Naivasha, Kinangop and parts of Narok.
Hospital superintendent Dr Angeline Ithondeka attributed the rise to the campaign encouraging mothers to deliver in health centres.
The hospital's initial target was 300 babies per month but this had risen to 600, forcing them to seek more personnel.
“This is good news as it means more mothers are moving away from home-delivery,” she said.
Ithondeka said this had reduced maternal deaths greatly, noting that home deliveries had complications for both the mother and newborn.
“The mothers delivering in this hospital have received pre- and post-natal training from the medical staff, meaning the child will grow healthier,” she said.
She said works were complete on the Sh331 million outpatient department that has been constructed by KenGen and the county government.
She said the facility was being equipped to handle more patients.
The superintendent also said the hospital was working with the organisers of the World Rally Championship in terms of safety and medical care.
Ithondeka said with the WRC team, they were keen to make the Naivasha global rally in June a success.
“We are grateful for the support from the WRC team and this new wing that will treat rally trauma cases,” she said.
David Karuri, WRC's deputy medical officer, said the rally will be different and more exciting than the others.
He said competing cars will be more powerful, and organisers were determined to ensure safety for drivers and spectators.
“Unlike last year when the rally cars were just using petrol, we expect hybrid cars that are faster and stronger,” Karuri said.
(Edited by V Graham)