Construction of the Sh 55million mother-and-child facility at the Iten County Referral Hospital in Elgeyo Marakwet County is set to be completed in December.
Governor Alex Tolgos said the county will work closely with donors and other well-wishers to purchase equipment for the facility which is expected to be completed in the next six months. The project is part of the improvement of three other facilities that were given priority in the 2021/22 budget including Kapcherop, Chesoi and Kaptarakwa Health facilities.
Increased consistently
The development, funded by the World Bank under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP) involves construction of a two-storey building with a theatre and eight maternity wards with an 80-bed capacity.
Tolgos noted the funding will only cater for the structure while the county government is expected to ensure that the facility is well equipped to offer services to mothers and newborn babies. Upon completion, the project is expected to support the Linda Mama delivery programme which offers free maternity services for all expectant mothers.
Governor Tolgos said that the number of expectant mothers delivering at health facilities within the county has increased consistently since the inception of the Linda Mama programme. He added that the government will continue improving services offered at the Iten County Referral Hospital by hiring more staff which will include the renewal of contracts for interns previously working at the facility.
