Over Sh20 million invested in health in Kisumu, Siaya counties
The M-PESA Foundation has invested Kes20.96 million in Kisumu and Siaya Counties seeking to improve general and reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) outcomes in the two regions. These initiatives will benefit more than 13,000 people, the Foundation projects.
In Kisumu County, the Foundation invested Kes16.76 million towards the construction of a maternal and newborn unit at Ratta Health Centre. The unit is equiped with a nurse station, a waiting bay with a children’s play area, two consultants’ rooms, a child welfare clinic (CWC) room, a pharmacy with a store, a family planning room, an antenatal clinic (ANC) room and washrooms among others. Additionally, 100 tree seedlings were planted within the compound.
The newly constructed unit is expected to increase bed capacity and daily deliveries. It will also enable the centre to provide better services to more women. The maternal unit will also provide a variety of critical services such as outpatient care, maternity care, comprehensive clinic care, immunisations for children, and laboratory services where over 10,000 people will be impacted.
“We are privileged to have M-PESA Foundation in our County as we embark on this journey to boost healthcare services. We are confident that this infrastructure development will improve health outcomes for mothers and children, benefiting the residents in this area,” said Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, Governor, Kisumu County.
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Free medical camp
In Siaya County, the M-PESA Foundation will on Saturday 13th April hold its 13th free medical camp since May 2023, in partnership with Zuri Health, Checkups Medical Hub, and Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital.
The Foundation has invested Kes4.2 million towards the camp, which aims to benefit over 3,000 residents with an array of medical services. As part of the camp, the Foundation will also distribute Mama Packs to mothers at Siaya County Referral Hospital to enhance maternal and child health.
“At Safaricom, our purpose is transforming lives, and through these interventions, we are taking healthcare closer to the people. Going forward, M-PESA Foundation will continue partnering with the counties to enhance service delivery, with a keen focus on maternal and child health,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC.
Some of the services to be offered at the camp include eye care consultations, breast and cervical cancer screening, fistula screening, general doctor consultations, diabetes screening, hypertension monitoring, the elderly and child health consultations.
At the medical camp, Zuri Health will provide technology solutions by offering patients free follow-up consultations with doctors via SMS and WhatsApp for up to six months.