(Kajiado) – Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku has officially commissioned a new ultra-modern outpatient facility at the Kajiado County Referral Hospital. This development aims to support the county’s push toward universal healthcare by providing comprehensive services to the local population.
During the opening ceremony, Governor Lenku emphasized the importance of utilizing the newly established facility. He highlighted that it is fully integrated with essential components required to deliver high-quality healthcare services. Additionally, the Kajiado County Referral Hospital’s laboratory is on the verge of receiving ISO certification, a milestone that will enable patients to avoid undergoing duplicate tests when referred to Kenyatta National Hospital. This is expected to improve the efficiency of medical processes and reduce unnecessary costs for patients.
Governor Lenku also addressed the growing demand for renal services in the county. He disclosed that the number of patients needing dialysis has increased from just five to nearly 40, necessitating the establishment of renal units in Oloitoktok and Ngong Sub County hospitals. These facilities are expected to ease congestion at the referral hospital and ensure that more residents have access to crucial treatments. Lenku directed that these units be operational before the end of the year.
The governor further underscored the need to decongest the Kajiado County Referral Hospital, which is currently overwhelmed by the increasing number of patients. He called for the opening of the new renal units in Ngong and Oloitoktok as a way to address this issue. In his remarks, Lenku also urged the Ministry of Health to ensure that the Social Health Authority (SHA) is fully functional across the medical space to alleviate the suffering of patients.
Kajiado’s County Executive Committee Member for Health, Alex Kilowua, echoed Lenku’s sentiments, stressing that infrastructure plays a pivotal role in achieving universal health coverage. Kilowua explained that with the ongoing registration of the Social Health Authority, more residents will be able to access quality healthcare services at the referral hospital. He also pointed out the importance of strengthening the county’s health workforce, as well as ensuring a steady supply of both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical commodities to meet the healthcare needs of the population.
Kilowua thanked the governor for his directive to provide renal services in Ngong and Oloitoktok sub-counties. He highlighted that there has been a sharp rise in the number of cases involving non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and renal complications in the county. In his appeal to residents, Kilowua encouraged everyone to register with the Social Health Authority to simplify access to affordable and high-quality health services.
The newly launched outpatient facility at the Kajiado County Referral Hospital offers a wide range of services, including imaging, laboratory tests, inpatient care, and outpatient services, further enhancing healthcare access for the local population.