Over 177,000 residents in Kwale County are set to benefit from improved healthcare services following the unveiling of a newly renovated Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) facility at Msambweni County Referral Hospital. The initiative, spearheaded by the M-PESA Foundation, also included a free medical camp offering a variety of essential health services.
The M-PESA Foundation invested KES 32.6 million into enhancing maternal and child healthcare services at Msambweni County Referral Hospital. Key upgrades to the facility include:
- Expansion of the post-natal ward and Kangaroo room for critically ill babies.
- Establishment of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and High-Dependency Unit (HDU).
- Creation of separate nurseries for preterm (Nursery 1) and full-term babies (Nursery 2).
- Setup of a dedicated milking room and triage area.
- Construction of washrooms for mothers in the post-natal ward and Kangaroo room.
These improvements have significantly increased the hospital’s capacity, doubling the number of baby cots from 21 to 50. The upgraded Newborn Unit will accommodate more daily deliveries and provide enhanced care for mothers and infants in the region.
“Health is one of our key pillars, and since 2010, the M-PESA Foundation has transformed the lives of millions of Kenyans through various initiatives,” said Joseph Ogutu, Chairman of the Safaricom Foundation.
“By partnering with county governments, we aim to establish modern mother-and-child facilities that will help eradicate maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.”
The Msambweni MNCH project is a testament to the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access and outcomes across Kenya.
As part of the initiative, the M-PESA Foundation organized a KES 6 million free medical camp at Jomo Kenyatta Primary School in Msambweni Sub-County. Conducted in partnership with Zuri Health, Checkups Medical Hub, the County Government of Kwale, and Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital, the camp provided services to over 2,500 residents.
Services offered during the camp included:
- Eye care consultations and treatment.
- Breast and cervical cancer screening.
- Fistula screening.
- General doctor consultations.
- Diabetes and hypertension screening.
- Child health consultations.
This initiative marks the conclusion of a week of activities in the Coast region under Safaricom’s Sambaza Furaha Christmas Campaign.
The combination of long-term infrastructure improvements and immediate medical services highlights the M-PESA Foundation’s holistic approach to healthcare. By enhancing facilities like Msambweni County Referral Hospital and addressing pressing health concerns through medical camps, the Foundation ensures sustainable and impactful change.
The new and improved Msambweni Newborn Unit represents a significant step toward reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in Kenya. With expanded capacity and specialized care units, more mothers and babies will have access to life-saving services.
The partnership with local and international health organizations further underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving nationwide healthcare goals.
The success of this initiative sets a precedent for similar projects across Kenya. The M-PESA Foundation’s commitment to advancing healthcare, combined with its ability to mobilize resources and partners, promises continued progress in addressing maternal and child health challenges.
The launch of the upgraded MNCH facility and the free medical camp in Kwale exemplify the M-PESA Foundation’s dedication to community welfare. With these impactful initiatives, the Foundation reaffirms its role as a key player in transforming Kenya’s healthcare landscape, one community at a time.
