Nyeri County has marked a major milestone in healthcare delivery with the completion of a fully refurbished maternity unit at the Karatina Sub-County Hospital. The upgrade, which has been underway for the last 18 months, is part of a long-running partnership between the Government of Kenya and the Government of Finland.
The County was selected in 2016 among 20 counties to benefit from the joint initiative, implemented through VAMED Health Projects–Finland in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The project focuses on improving maternity and newborn infrastructure in Naromoru and Karatina hospitals.
Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who toured the new facility alongside Karatina Ward MCA Hon. Watson Weru, expressed satisfaction with the transformation. The modern 64-bed maternity wing houses a Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit, New Born Unit, and Post-Natal Unit, all equipped with critical infrastructure such as a maternity theatre, 16 incubators, 16 baby cots, updated delivery and observation rooms, and modern nurses’ stations.
The support systems include a technical building hosting a medical air system, oxygen plant, water purification system, solar-powered boilers with electrical backup, and a heavy-duty medical waste disposal unit.
Led by Nursing Services Manager Winnie Kihagi and Hospital Administrator Kelvin Kibaara, VAMED engineers briefed the governor on the installed equipment and improved service capability. The partnership also supports training of healthcare workers to ensure effective use of the new machines.
Governor Kahiga said the refurbished unit is expected to significantly boost maternal and newborn outcomes in the sub-county, noting that formal handover of the facility to the county government will take place soon.
Other officials present included Health CECM Dr. Joseph Kiragu, Health CO Ibrahim Adan, Governor’s Office CO Nahashon Mung’ora, Health Director Dr. Nelson Muriu, and several MCAs and medical staff.
