The M-PESA Foundation has invested over KSh20.96 million in Kisumu and Siaya counties to construct a maternal health care unit and organise a medical camp aimed at increasing access to a broad range of health services.
These initiatives, the Foundation CEO Peter Ndegwa, said will help lower risk of pregnancy complications such as hemorrhage, infection, and obstructed labour, which can be life-threatening for expectant mothers.
Ndegwa observed that maternal well-being affects the health of future generations thus it was critical to inject significant investment to save lives at the infancy level.
“We will have a substantial impact on the entire community. So, am happy these maternal units will benefit more than 13,000 mothers especially those who hail from the rural areas,’’ said the CEO.
In Kisumu, the Foundation injected KSh16.76 million towards the construction of a maternal and newborn unit at Ratta Health Centre in Seme Constituency.
The unit was equipped with a nurse station, a waiting bay with a children’s play area, 2 consultations rooms, a child welfare clinic room, a pharmacy, a store, a family planning room, an antenatal clinic room and washrooms among others.
Therefore, the unit is expected to increase bed capacity and deliveries on a daily basis. It will also enable the centre to provide better services to more women.
The maternal unit will also provide a variety of critical services such as Outpatient Care, Maternity Care, Comprehensive Clinic Care, Immunizations for children, and Laboratory services where over 10,000 people will benefit.
“We are privileged to have the M-PESA Foundation in our county as we embark on this journey to boost healthcare services,’’ said Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o.
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He was confident that the infrastructure will improve health outcomes for mothers and children, benefiting the residents in the area as well.
Nyong’o was also happy that Maternal Health Care involves a vast array of services, addressing the needs of mothers at every stage of pregnancy to reduce maternal deaths.
In Siaya County, the M-PESA Foundation held its 13th free medical camp since May last year, in partnership with Zuri Health, Checkups Medical Hub, and Lions Sight First Eye Hospital.
The Foundation invested KSh4.2 million towards the camp, aimed at benefiting over 3,000 residents with an array of medical services.
As part of the camp, the Foundation also distributed Mama Packs to mothers at Siaya County Referral Hospital to enhance maternal and child health.
“At Safaricom, our purpose is transforming lives, and through these interventions, we are taking healthcare closer to the people. Going forward, M-PESA Foundation will continue partnering with the counties to enhance service delivery, with a keen focus on maternal and child health,” said Ndegwa.
Some of the services to be offered at the camp include eye care consultations, breast and cervical cancer screening, fistula screening, general doctor consultations, diabetes screening, hypertension monitoring, the elderly and child health consultations.
Zuri Health will provide technology solutions by offering patients free follow-up consultations with doctors via SMS and WhatsApp for up to six months.
By Fredrick Odiero
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