Kwale County shifts focus from construction of new health facilities to upgrading existing ones

Kwale County Government has announced a suspension of new health facility construction, opting instead to upgrade and enhance existing facilities in a bid to improve healthcare services across the county.

Governor Fatuma Achani cited budgetary and resource constraints as the main reasons behind the decision. "Due to financial limitations, we are compelled to renovate current facilities, procure essential medical equipment, and hire additional health workers to address the growing demand for healthcare services," Achani stated during a public event in Kinondo, Msambweni.

According to her, since 2013, the county has increased the number of health facilities from 35 to 165, alongside employing 1,800 health workers and establishing intensive care units (ICUs) at Msambweni Referral Hospital.

The governor noted that the focus would now shift towards ensuring that all existing facilities are adequately stocked with medicines, equipped with necessary medical supplies, and staffed by sufficient healthcare workers.

Governor Achani criticised misinformation regarding the health sector in Kwale, reaffirming her administration's commitment to tackling challenges facing the county’s healthcare system.

She emphasised that the decision to halt new construction would allow the county to allocate resources better to improve existing facilities, thereby enhancing service delivery for the local community.

"Our priority is to ensure that each facility is fully functional, with sufficient drugs, laboratory services, and health personnel," she explained, adding, “The funds we receive are also distributed to other sectors, such as education, which involves providing bursaries and maintaining schools."

The governor reiterated that, despite the halt in constructing new health facilities, efforts to improve the current ones would continue to guarantee that residents have access to quality healthcare without needing to travel long distances.

She said Kwale County, which now boasts over 160 health facilities, has prioritised ensuring that each of these centres is well-maintained and effectively serves the public.