Governor Njuki Defends Decision to Upgrade Mpukoni Hospital

Governor Muthomi Njuki has defended the decision to upgrade Mpukoni Hospital from Level 3 to Level 4 status, saying there was a need to improve healthcare services across the county to decongest the Chuka Level 5 Referral Hospital.

Njuki noted that Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency lacked a Level 4 healthcare facility following the upgrade of Chuka to Level 5, leaving Marimanti, Magutuni, and Kibung’a as the only Level 4 facilities in the county.

“The new SHA directives state that Level 5 hospitals serve as referral facilities for cases escalated from Level 3 and Level 2 facilities. This will decongest Level 5 hospitals and allow them to focus on more serious medical conditions,” he said.

In his speech, Governor Njuki said Mpukoni Hospital is being constructed in partnership with the Safaricom Foundation and, upon completion, will host a theatre, maternity wing, paediatric ward, and Outpatient Block.

“Safaricom Foundation chose Mpukoni because it is the oldest remaining health centre in the area. Construction is underway to include a theatre, maternity, and paediatric ward. On our part, through counter-funding, we will ensure a fully operational Outpatient Block is put up. The hospital benefits from its proximity to the tarmac and ease of access,” he added.

Additionally, the governor revealed plans to offer Level 4 services at Chuka Referral Hospital through the temporary provision of a building until Mpukoni and Kibugua Level 4 facilities in Chuka Igambang’ombe are completed.

“We wrote to the Ministry to request a makeshift Level 4 facility housed at Chuka Referral Hospital. We agreed to establish a health centre there as we await the completion of Mpukoni and Kibugua hospitals,” he said.

Speaking during a burial ceremony at Kang’ombe in Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency on Saturday, Governor Njuki urged residents to embrace the SHA medical scheme and make payments to ease the financial burden of healthcare.

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has introduced a flexible payment plan called Lipa SHA Pole Pole to make health insurance contributions more accessible, allowing Kenyans to pay in daily, weekly, or monthly instalments.

The initiative, also known as Lipa SHA Mos Mos, is designed to support those in the informal sector who may struggle to afford the full annual contribution upfront.