Kwale County Launches Construction of Modern Maternity and Newborn Care Facility
Msambweni, Kenya – The Kwale County Government has initiated a project to enhance maternal and newborn healthcare services with the groundbreaking of a new maternity, newborn, and child health complex at Msambweni Referral Hospital. The facility is part of an effort to reduce maternal mortality and improve healthcare access in the coastal county.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking at the ceremony, the county, in partnership with the M-PESA Foundation, has allocated Sh36.2 million for the construction of the state-of-the-art facility. This initiative comes in response to the rising demand for specialized care for newborns in the region. “We have received Sh30 million from the Safaricom Foundation, and the county government has contributed an additional Sh6.2 million to fund this vital project,” said Achani.
The new facility is designed to significantly elevate the level of care provided to mothers and newborns across Kwale County. It will feature an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), Kangaroo room for mother and child bonding, laundry facilities, and a staff lounge. “The ICU and HDU will be equipped with advanced medical equipment and technology to offer the best possible care to newborns,” Achani explained.
Governor Achani emphasized the project’s alignment with the county’s goal of achieving universal health coverage and reducing maternal mortality. She noted that the specialist wings would be outfitted with modern amenities to support this aim. “My administration is committed to ensuring that every newborn receives the care they need from day one to increase child survival rates after birth,” she stated.
Anne Eriksson, a trustee from the Safaricom Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s ongoing partnership with Kwale County, which has seen investments exceeding Sh316 million in various sectors including agriculture, education, and water, aimed at boosting economic empowerment and development in the region.
The new maternity and neonatal care unit, expected to be completed in three months, will also include emergency and recovery rooms, and delivery wards, providing a comprehensive suite of services to address the myriad health challenges faced by expectant mothers.
Governor Achani concluded by thanking the Safaricom Foundation for its support and confirmed that a team from the foundation would return to Kwale to commission the facility, marking a significant milestone in the county’s healthcare development.