Vihiga County to construct maternal health complex to curb mortality

Residents are set to benefit from specialised healthcare services following the commissioning of a state-of-the-art maternal and newborn health complex at Vihiga County Referral Hospital.

The Sh60 million facility, a collaboration between the county government and Safaricom M-Pesa Foundation, is expected to be constructed within the next 32 weeks. 

Once completed the facility will help to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the county.

Currently, Vihiga County records 75 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. 

However, significant progress has been made in reducing infant mortality, with rates dropping from 44 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015 to 10 per 1,000 live births in 2024.

The majority of the deaths are caused by delayed deliveries, as maternal clinics are far away, and the available facility at Vihiga County Referral Hospital is usually congested.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Wilber Ottichilo and Safaricom Foundation Chairperson Joseph Ogutu was optimistic that the new facility would enhance maternal healthcare outcomes.

“The establishment of this complex is a major milestone in our commitment to providing quality healthcare for mothers and newborns,” said Dr Ottichilo.

The maternal and newborn health complex will offer specialised services, including prenatal and postnatal care, emergency obstetric services, and neonatal intensive care.

The facility will feature a fully equipped caesarean section theatre, a three-bed delivery room, a 12-bed antenatal ward, a 20-bed postnatal ward, an eight-bed newborn unit, a reception area, a nursing station, a pharmacy, and equipment for medical gas supply.

Governor Ottichilo emphasized the significance of the partnership between the County Government and the M-Pesa Foundation, noting that such collaborations are crucial in strengthening the county’s healthcare system.

“No mother deserves to die while bringing forth life. My administration has prioritised maternal health, and we are already seeing positive results in reducing maternal mortality rates,” he said.

Ogutu assured that the facility will be constructed and fully equipped within eight months and urged community health promoters to encourage expectant mothers to seek medical services in hospitals.

He affirmed Safaricom Foundation’s commitment to supporting maternal health initiatives, saying that the project aligns with their broader mission of improving healthcare access across the country.

"Our initiative is to ensure any woman who is in the process of giving birth can do so in a safe environment," Ogutu said.