In a landmark initiative to enhance infant healthcare, the Mombasa County Government, in partnership with the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation, inaugurated a cutting-edge newborn unit at Port Reitz Subcounty Hospital. The KES 5 million investment promises to transform maternal and child health services and significantly diminish neonatal mortality rates in the region.
The unveiling of the newborn unit coincides with a two-day free medical camp sponsored by the KPC Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of the new facility and support the government’s efforts to deliver improved healthcare to the underprivileged members of the community. The camp, funded at a cost of KES 500,000, offers a range of medical services and educational sessions to promote the health and well-being of both mothers and infants.
At the opening ceremony, KPC’s Managing Director, Joe Sang, emphasized the unit’s commitment to providing specialized care for pre-term babies and those in need of additional medical support, with the goal of significantly reducing the neonatal mortality rate in Mombasa. “According to the KNBS Demographic and Health Survey Report, 16% of newborns in Kenya do not receive vital postnatal checkups within the first 48 hours of birth. With an infant mortality rate of 32 per 1,000 live births and an under-five mortality rate of 41 per 1,000, Kenya is confronted with a substantial healthcare challenge. The KPC Foundation is dedicated to confronting this issue head-on through its community health programs,” stated Mr. Sang.
Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir, in his address, conveyed his deep gratitude to the KPC Foundation for their steadfast support. “The launch of this facility signifies a monumental step forward for the health of Mombasa’s mothers and infants, granting them immediate access to critical medical services. Our continued collaboration with KPC reflects our joint commitment to raising healthcare standards and realizing the goal of affordable universal healthcare for all Kenyans,” Governor Nassir said.
The newly established facility, entirely financed by the KPC Foundation, is in line with the national objective to implement Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It highlights the critical importance of fostering the health of Kenyan children from birth, ensuring a foundation for sustainable development throughout the country.
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