The new outpatient wing at the Chuka Level 4 Hospital is the talk of town, with the hospital set to officially open the department on 12th March 2022 in a ceremony scheduled to be graced by the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto.
Speaking during a press briefing at the hospital on Wednesday, Health CECM Dr. Gichuiya Nthuraku noted that the new facility will help reduce overcrowding in the hospital with allocation of more officers and more working spaces.
According to Dr. Nthuraku, the facility is as a result of the strong desire by the people of Tharaka Nithi to have a county referral hospital in 2017 through the County Integrated Development Plan and that the hospital is optimistic of an upgrade to level 5 in the coming months.
“We are extremely grateful that H.E Governor Muthomi Njuki put up this facility for us as requested by the people of Tharaka Nithi. Indeed, we have put up structures befitting a county referral hospital and we are optimistic for an upgrade to level 5” – Dr Gichuiya Nthuraku.
The project that cost KShs 231,168,463 has in the recent months caused political turmoil with queries over its financing, with a section of leaders suggesting the project was funded by the National Government.
According to Finance CECM Dorothy Igoki Naivasha, the project is under the county government and was prioritized as a multi-year project under the County Integrated Development Plan that informs the Annual Development Plans.
“The Chuka Outpatient Block was one of the key projects we undertook in 2017. We have been funding this project every year to see its completion as a government. Funding of level 5 hospitals is normally done by the National Government. Our hospital is not at level 5 status and that is why we are working to ensure we upgrade it to attract funding” – Dorothy Igoki Naivasha, CECM Finance.
Karingani MCA Godfrey Gaturo who serves as the Chairperson in the County Assembly Budget Committee acknowledged that the project had been made possible by the County Government of Tharaka Nithi and as an assembly they had passed budgets to ensure such projects are a success.
The health department takes up 30% of the allocated county budget, which amounts to 1.6 billion of the allocated 5.8 billion.
General consultation, Specialized clinics (Eye, Ear, Dental, Nose and Throat), Comprehensive Care Centre, Specialized Skin Department, Surgical outpatient clinics, Medical outpatient clinics, Orthopedic, Gynecologic and Pediatric departments are some of the services offered in the new facility.
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