Machakos County has made a significant breakthrough in its healthcare campaign after receiving Ksh.70 million in donations from the German organisation Malteser International.
Governor Wavinya Ndeti said during the official handover ceremony of various medical equipment at Machakos Level 5 hospital’s casualty section that her government was committed to prioritizing healthcare for residents.
She stated that her administration had proposed about Ksh.5 billion to finance this year’s health budget in order to close the critical resource gap in the health sector.
Malteser International’s donations, according to Governor Wavinya, will aid in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, cancer, and other diseases.
She later flagged off the equipment and assorted medical gear which will be distributed in at least 17 healthcare facilities across the county which included Machakos Level 5 Hospital.
Wavinya added that Malteser had also trained emergency responders and ambulance drivers during the first phase and will continue capacity building for the officers.
The county chief added that she was committed to making Machakos a model county in emergency response given the high burden of accidents due to proximity to Nairobi city and major highways that cut across the county.
Other donors totaling Ksh.879.8 million will benefit Machakos, according to her, including the Centre for Health Education and BIO Security (Ksh.650 million), the Catholic Medical Mission Board (Ksh.40 million), and the Respiratory Society of Kenya (Ksh.10.3 million).
According to Martin Schoemburg, Country Director for Malteser International, they will assist the Machakos County emergency department in providing better quality services.
He also stated that they have begun training from ambulance operators and other health workers.
Daniel Yumbya, a member of the Health County Executive Committee (CECM), and a number of other senior government officials were also present.
