Governor Jama launches mother, child hospital says will reduce high maternal mortality rate

Residents of Garissa have every reason to smile after the county administration launched a state of the art mother and child hospital.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony at the Garissa county referral hospital where the facility will be built, Governor Nathif Jama said that the over 400 bed capacity will go along way in reducing the maternal mortality rate and stillbirths.

Jama said that Even though the county has managed to improve the maternal mortality since the inception of devolution, the figures would further be brought down once the facility is operational.

In 2013 before devolution, the rate in Garissa was 3,795 per 100,000 live births. By 2018 it had improved to 500 per 100,000 live births.

Jama disclosed that the hospital will not only serve the residents of Garissa but the entire region of Northern Kenya, neighboring counties and even Somalia.

“Today I am standing here a very happy man to oversee the this very important project officially kick stated. It must be remembered that this was one of my campaign manifestos and 20 months time we should be back to launch a complete project which will be a real legacy for our region,” said Jama.

He added: “Even though this  hospital has served the residents well, There was need to have a ultra modern hospital that will cater for all the requirements of a modern a modern health care requirements,” he said.

Speaking at the event Garissa County Referral Hospital Dr. Hawa Boi Reiterated  the important role the facility will play in reducing the numbers of mothers who are dying in pregnancy related issues.

“As an institution we are honored to have to have such a facility that will be compared with other county level 5. We are proud as an institution and from where I seat I can say the future looks really bright as far as improving our healthcare is concerned,”.

She said the facility will improve the survival rates of the children born in Garissa not just for them to survive but for them to thrive and give value to the county in the future.