Relief for mothers in Kwale County as upgraded maternal health facility launched
By Farhiya Hussein |
For years, mothers in Kwale County have faced life-threatening struggles during childbirth due to overcrowded hospital wards, lack of proper equipment, and inadequate newborn care services.
Now, hope has arrived for over 177,000 residents following the launch of a newly upgraded maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) facility at Msambweni County Referral Hospital.
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Salma Juma, a mother of three, recalls her previous struggles.
“When my baby was born prematurely, there was no space to care for him. We shared a cot with other babies, and I feared for his survival,” she says.
Like Salma, thousands of mothers have endured unsafe and stressful conditions when seeking maternal care.
The M-Pesa Foundation has invested Sh32.6 million to transform these experiences.
The upgrades include the expansion of the postnatal ward, a Kangaroo room for preterm babies, a dedicated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and a high-dependency unit (HDU).
Mothers will now have access to separate nurseries for preterm and full-term babies, a milking room for breastfeeding, and new triage and washroom facilities.
Life-changing upgrade
Fatuma Ngala, a mother of two, says this upgrade is life-changing.
“Previously, we waited hours for care because there were not enough beds. Now we have hope that mothers like me and our babies will survive and be safe,” Fatuma says.
The revamped newborn unit has increased its capacity from 21 baby cots to 50, allowing the hospital to serve more mothers and newborns.
The improvements are expected to reduce delays in treatment and improve health outcomes for both mothers and infants.
Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu underscored the foundation's commitment to addressing maternal and infant health challenges.
“We believe that by improving access to modern maternal care facilities, we can significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality rates,” he said.
To further support the community, the M-Pesa Foundation organised a Sh6 million free medical camp at the Jomo Kenyatta Primary School in Msambweni Sub-County.
The camp, conducted in partnership with Zuri Health, Checkups Medical Hub, Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital and the county government of Kwale, benefitted over 2,500 residents.
The medical camp provided breast and cervical cancer screening, eye care consultations, general check-ups, diabetes testing, hypertension monitoring, and child health consultations.
Halima Said, who is expecting her second child, expressed her relief after receiving essential care.
“At the camp, I had tests done that I could not afford at a private clinic. This is a blessing for mothers like us.”
Kwale County’s Health Executive Francis Gwama emphasised the importance of such initiatives.
“Many residents lack access to medical services due to cost or distance. These interventions ensure that no one is left behind in accessing quality healthcare,” said Dr Gwama.
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