Since Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration took over the management of Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital two months ago, significant progress has been made in equipping and operationalizing the facility.
Health County Executive Committee Member (CEC) Suzanne Silantoi confirmed in an interview that the hospital is now 70% equipped and has been fully operational since the handover from the national government.
CEC Silantoi revealed, “The hospital runs on a Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) account, extending services to the Teacher Service Commission, National Police, and Prisons Services.” She also highlighted the staffing improvements, stating, “The hospital is staffed with 20 medical officers, 4 consultants, 23 clinical officers, and 26 nurses. In total, there are 132 permanent and 30 contracted staff members, which should suffice when fully operational.”
To ensure a smooth transition, Silantoi says the county has procured essential supplies, including drugs from KEMSA, lab reagents, non-pharmaceuticals, and nursing consumables.
“Currently, the hospital offers a comprehensive range of services, including outpatient and inpatient care, lab tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, pharmacy services, physiotherapy, orthopedic technology, trauma medicine, dental and optical services, surgeries, maternal and child health (MCH), comprehensive care (CCC), ICU, and neonatal care (NBU),” she reiterated.
Regarding the KSh200 million allocation that has yet to be injected, CEC Silantoi confirmed, “Fund deployment is ongoing,” indicating that the financial boost is imminent.
Addressing concerns about the rushed transfer, CEC Silantoi firmly stated, “It’s not true that there was a rush to transfer the facility without adequate measures. Upon transfer, the hospital resumed operations immediately.”
She assured the locals that the facility has a dedicated hospital management team in place, including a Medical Superintendent, Hospital Administrator, Supply Chain Manager, and Nursing Services Manager, among other department heads. The hospital also operates its own bank account, ensuring financial independence and accountability.
“As Nairobi County takes charge of Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital, residents can look forward to continued and improved healthcare services, bolstered by ongoing funding and resource allocation efforts,” she asserted.
