Kiambu County has officially opened a Covid-19 isolation center constructed at a cost of Sh 25m in Tigoni. Kiambu Governor James Nyoro officiated the ceremony and said that the centre will relieve pressure from other health facilities in the county that are not fully equipped to handle Covid-19 cases.
“Kiambu’s proximity to Nairobi, the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya, means that, we continue to receive patients from Nairobi and this is putting a strain on the capacity of our health facilities,” said Dr. Nyoro.
The facility feature a capacity of 104 equipped with wards, emergency centre, ablution blocks and changing facilities for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. Construction of the million shillings centre was commissioned in the beginning of July and completed in 10 weeks.
PEB technology
The project was jointly funded by Mabati Rolling Mills a Member of Safal Group in partnership with Kiambu County and the Kiambu County Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund. MRM’s Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings (PEB) technology hastened the construction process. The technology allows one to fabricate the building offsite and then quickly assemble it on site reducing the construction time by at least 50%.
“SafBuild enabled us to deliver the Isolation Unit within very tight timelines and at the best quality and value. The need for speed was critical in order to increase the county’s capacity to handle the growing Covid-19 cases and we are glad we delivered within the set timeline,” said Mr. Anders Lindgren, CEO Safal Group.
“One of our focus areas in corporate social investment is health and this partnership with Kiambu County Government and the County Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund, couldn’t come at a better time. We all have a responsibility to cub the virus that is Covid 19. The Tigoni Covid-19 Isolation Unit is yet another demonstration of the care and responsibility for our communities and environment in line with our values,” he added.
The facility will additionally ease pressure on the Kiambu level 5 hospital that has been overwhelmed by patients due to the Covid 19 pandemic by providing the necessary space for isolation and treatment.
