Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani officially commissioned the Mwanda Dispensary General Ward and presided over the handover of the staff house construction project, marking a significant milestone in the County Government’s commitment to improving healthcare access in rural communities.
Located in Mwavumbo Ward, the Mwanda Dispensary serves over 6,900 people from eight villages, making it a vital facility for the health and well-being of the local population.
The new general ward will enhance inpatient services, reduce overcrowding, and cut down travel time for residents who previously had to seek admission in far-off hospitals.
During her remarks, Achani reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to prioritizing healthcare development across all wards.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We will continue to invest in infrastructure, staffing, and equipment to bring services closer to our people. No one should be left behind,” the Governor stated.
She emphasized that her government is working to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare, especially in remote and underserved areas.
The County Government is investing in health infrastructure, recruiting personnel, and supporting community health programs.
In addition to launching the general ward, the Governor officially handed over the construction of a staff house, a move that will ensure health workers can live near the facility.
This is expected to improve response time for emergencies and retain skilled personnel in the area.
Amina Nyae, a local residents expressed gratitude to the county leadership, noting that the new ward will significantly ease their burden of accessing hospital care.
“This ward is a blessing to us. For years, we have been traveling long distances to get admitted. Now help is finally at our doorstep. We ask the county to add more nurses and speed up the staff housing so that our doctors can stay near us,” she said.
Kwale County has seen a major transformation in its healthcare sector under the leadership of Governor Fatuma Achani, with significant improvements in infrastructure, service delivery, and healthcare accessibility.
Since devolution began in 2013, the number of health facilities in the county has risen dramatically from just 35 to 178, covering all six sub-counties. These include dispensaries, health centres, and maternity wards aimed at bringing medical services closer to residents.
Achani has shifted focus from building new hospitals to revitalizing and upgrading existing facilities.
“We’re prioritizing quality over quantity, enhancing what we have ensures more sustainable and effective healthcare,” she stated.
Notable projects include a Sh36.2 million newborn and child health complex at Msambweni Referral Hospital, a Renal and ICU unit at Kinango Hospital, and multiple facility renovations across the region.
In a bid to improve service delivery, over 1,800 healthcare workers have been hired, including specialists such as gynecologists and psychologists. Additionally, 1,632 community health promoters have been trained and equipped to offer grassroots-level care.
To ensure healthcare is accessible to all, Achani’s administration mandated free services at all Level 2 and 3 health facilities, including ambulance services. “No one in Kwale should be denied treatment because they can’t afford it,” she affirmed.
With healthcare at the heart of her development agenda, Governor Achani continues to prioritize investment in the sector, positioning Kwale as a model for county-level health service delivery.
The opening of the Mwanda Dispensary General Ward is a testament to the County Government’s resolve to deliver accessible, quality, and equitable healthcare to every corner of Kwale.
In attendance were CECM Health Francis Gwama, CECM Social Services Francisca Kilonzo, CECM PSA Karuwa Tsiwezi, CECM Agriculture Roman Shera, Chief Officer Water Badru Shikeli, Chief Officer Agriculture Joseph Jabu among others.
