HOMA BAY RECEIVES NEW MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO HELP REDUCE INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY
The fight against high Maternal and Infant mortality in Homa Bay got a shot in the arm after a leading UN global organization UNICEF donated 20 assorted special medical equipment to help save lives of mothers and babies at the Homa Bay County Referral Hospital. The County’s Executive Member for Health, Dr. Lawrence Oteng’ said the equipment include an Incubator, Oxygen concentrator, electric autoclave machine, baby warmer, vacuum extraction machine and digital thermometers among others.
“I wish on behalf of our Governor Cyprian Awiti , to sincerely thank UNICEF for this kind gesture. Homa Bay has one of the highest maternal and Infant mortality rates in Kenya and these equipment will help us fight these bad health indicators,” said Dr. Oteng.
He said the donation which UNICEF acquired through the help of the British Government has come at a time the County government had embarked on an elaborate refurbishment and equipping of the hospital that had been run down before health was devolved to county governments in 2013. A health specialist with UNICEF, Dr. Lutomia Edwin, said the UN body will offer more support to the hospital, including staff training to improve service delivery. The governor last week said the county was spending Sh. 43m to improve facilities at the hospital this financial year and have it promoted to a Level Five status.
The hospital also recently acquired modern medical equipment for its renal center, X-Ray and theater. Mr. Awiti said the county government was also putting up modern maternity wards at Kendu Bay, Rangwe and Ndhiwa Sub counties as it takes health services closer to the people. Two months ago, the County government employed 285 health workers, including 100 nurses to help bridge staff shortage. Mr. Awiti also ordered a crackdown on medical staff colluding with Cartels to steal drugs from health facilities.