Over 5,000 residents set to benefit from new health facility in Kirinyaga

Kiandai Dispensary, which was opened on Tuesday, will bring relief to more beneficiaries who have long sought medical care in facilities located far from them.

While inaugurating the dispensary, Governor Waiguru stated that the initiative was a fulfilment of her administration’s promise to provide quality, affordable, and accessible primary healthcare services to county residents.

Some of the villages to be served by the new facility include Kiandai, Kiaruri, Kiangurwe, Ngenya, Githage, Rwathae, Ndu-ini, and Thimu, whose residents previously had to travel more than five kilometers to the nearest health facilities, such as Kianyaga, Kabare, or Gatugura.

“The opening of Kiandai Dispensary marks a significant step towards our Universal Health Coverage goals and becomes a valuable resource for area residents as it will also save them the costs incurred in seeking medical services,” said the governor.

She added that some of the services to be offered at the new dispensary include outpatient care, maternal and child welfare services, laboratory services, and pharmaceutical services, all of which will contribute to reduced morbidity and mortality in the area.

The governor pointed out that the new dispensary is among 20 dispensary projects her administration has undertaken, 12 of which have already been operationalized. These include Mucagara, Kiandai in Kiine, South Ngariama, Matandara, Riakithiga Laboratory, Kamwana, Kiamwathi, Kianjiru, Umoja, Kiaumbui, and Joshua Mbai Laboratory. Others lined up for operationalization include Kiandieri, Kimweas, Ndaba, Kavote Ng’othi, and Ndindiruku.

“We will continue strengthening our primary healthcare systems to address various health challenges in the community before they escalate to levels requiring management at our higher-level hospitals,” said Waiguru.

She noted that to enhance service delivery further, the county government upgraded Kianyaga Level 3 Hospital to Level 4 upon the completion of a new complex, which is currently 70% complete. The project is progressing alongside the upgrades of Kimbimbi and Sagana hospitals.

At the same event, Waiguru issued 364 high-density UPVC pipes of various diameters to the Rwamukia and Corothimu Water Projects, which will serve areas such as Rwambiti, Kianjiru, Kiandai, and Kiamwathi.

The area’s youth were not left behind, as the governor also distributed balls and uniforms to 10 football teams and four volleyball teams. Waiguru stated that these items will contribute to the county’s agenda for youth empowerment through sports talent development.

Under Governor Waiguru’s leadership, Baragwi, one of the 20 wards that constitute Kirinyaga County, has benefited from various projects, including Kiamwathi and Kianjiru Dispensaries, over Ksh. 10 million in bursaries, free ECDE uniforms for 505 learners, a road rehabilitation program, market upgrades, agricultural sector support, the tarmacking of roads, and the cabro paving of the bus park in Kianyaga town, among others.