Meru: Residents of the remote villages of Ngarendare, Mbujuu, and Manyangaro have received a major boost in healthcare access following the opening of the first-ever maternity wing at Ngare Ndare Dispensary, a project jointly implemented by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Meru County Government.
According to Kenya News Agency, for decades, expectant mothers in the three villages were forced to walk more than 20 kilometres to access maternity services in Nanyuki, Meru town, or Isiolo, often putting their lives and those of their unborn children at risk. The new facility is being hailed as a game changer by local residents, as it provides women the opportunity to give birth in a safe and hygienic environment.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Partnerships and Programmes Coordinator John Kinoti stated that the project was part of Lewa's commitment to community development. He highlighted the challenges faced by the landlocked area of Ngarendare, which previously lacked adequate health services. The maternity wing aims to improve healthcare and support environmental conservation by reducing risky movements during emergencies. Women in the area previously resorted to giving birth at home or in forests due to the lack of access to medical services.
The newly launched maternity wing, with a 12-bed capacity, is fully equipped. Lewa invested more than Sh3.3 million in equipping the facility with beds, baby warmers, delivery equipment, a washing machine, and partitions. Additionally, the conservancy invested over Sh5 million to equip the laboratory, provide reagents, service equipment, employ a laboratory technician, construct staff housing, and pay support staff salaries for more than five years.
John Kinoti expressed relief for mothers who can now easily access the facility, noting that it offers good health services and saves lives. Meru Governor Mutuma M'ethingia described the maternity wing as a life-changing project that would significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality. He assured the deployment of medical officers and adequate drug supplies to this level two facility.
The governor also addressed residents' concerns about land grabbers, pledging his administration's support in defending them against such threats, which have hindered land development in the area. The Meru County Government constructed the maternity ward, while Lewa Wildlife Conservancy equipped it. Residents view the facility as a transformative addition to the community, easing the burden of long treks to distant hospitals and reducing reliance on Lewa's ambulances during emergencies.