The launch of Mama Rachael Ruto Maternity Hospital in Eldoret knits well with Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii’s manifesto of availing quality healthcare for residents of Uasin Gishu.

The launch of the facility, boasting state-of-the-art operating equipment and up to 20 incubators, will turn around the statistics of mothers’ access to maternal healthcare.

Speaking while commissioning the facility in Eldoret on Tuesday, First Lady Mrs. Rachel Ruto expressed concern that 14.4 per cent of women in Uasin Gishu cannot access specialized service in one hour and that the launch of the maternal facility will bolster health provision for mothers.

The First Lady also launched diagnostic drones that will be used to ferry medical samples from facilities to labs and relay results electronically. She lauded that the technological advancement in Huruma Sub-County Hospital will promote efficiency and professionalism in healthcare.

The facility is one of a kind in Western Kenya, with 40-bed Antenatal and post-natal wards and modern delivery beds.

“We want to commend Governor Dr. Bii’s administration for this partnership with Elsmed Healthcare Solutions to adopt the use of drones to transport samples from the collection Centre to the reference lab and relay back the results electronically.”

Mrs Ruto adds; “I am happy to note that samples taken from Chagaiya to Huruma Sub-County Hospital will take only 7 minutes unlike over the road where it normally takes one hour.”

Governor Dr. Bii said the facility provides mothers with a dedicated referral centre for various health conditions, including gynaecological units for reproductive health issues therefore, ensuring that curative, reproductive health, maternal, and child health services and enhanced skill development among healthcare workers is realized.

Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii noted that his administration will continue looking for more partnerships to improve services for the people of Uasin Gishu County.

“A healthy community is the foundation of a productive society that is why we are committed to improving and equipping all 138 healthcare facilities in the county,” said Dr. Bii.

Principal Secretary for Public Health, Mary Muthoni commended the County for the digitization of services noting that technology is the way to go, further highlighting the need to digitize all the healthcare services.

County Assembly Speaker, Philip Muigei and top County Officials among other dignitaries present.