SAFARICOM FOUNDATION HANDS OVER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO MTRH NEWBORN UNIT
The Safaricom Foundation today (15th November, 2019) supported Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in equipping the Hospital’s Newborn Unit.
The ceremony was witnessed by MTRH Board Chairman Hon. Doyo Godana, Madam Constantine Kandie, MTRH Board Member and Chair of Finance and Strategy Committee, and CEO Dr. Wilson K. Aruasa , MBS. Ms. Rita Okuthe, a Trustee, represented Safaricom Foundation at the event.
The partnership between MTRH and Safaricom Foundation is one of the approaches MTRH is taking to further improve the quality of specialized healthcare of newborns in the Western Kenya Region and beyond.
In his remarks, Board Chairman Hon. Godana lauded Safaricom Foundation for the partnership with MTRH, which is now the leading Centre of Excellence in Health in East and Central Africa.
MTRH can now save lives almost 70% of the newborns who are below 1,000g and more than 80% of those above 1,000g thanks to several strategic interventions by MTRH Board & Management, including Human Resources for Health (HRH), modern medical equipment, proper Laboratory work, high quality original drugs, establishment of Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Investments in Paediatric theatres, working closely with Counties to assure safe transfer of neonates from County hospitals to MTRH through the referral mechanism, amongst other interventions.
MTRH CEO, on his part, said the step taken by Safaricom Foundation has added to the quality of care the mothers and newborns are receiving at MTRH.
Dr. Aruasa added that the Hospital, which is giving quality care to 1300 inpatients at any given day and another 1500 Kenyans seeking outpatient services at any given day, values the newly found working partnership with Safaricom Foundation whose triple focus of support includes Healthcare, Empowerment and Education.
The CEO said the gesture by Safaricom Foundation will help residents, including mothers and newborns of Western Kenya, parts of Eastern Uganda and Southern Sudan.
He said that Eldoret is a major health hub in the country and MTRH will always work to deliver quality healthcare services to Kenyans from all walks of life.
Ms. Okuthe expressed gratitude to MTRH leadership for their dedication and focused management. This, she said, will propel MTRH to unparraleled status in healthcare management in Kenya.
Ms. Okuthe said Safaricom Foundation efforts to enable access to maternal healthcare does not only concern women, but also infants. “We focus specifically on health, including Maternal & Neonatal Care, Diabetes and other Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) because no company can do business where people do not have quality health for themselves and families.” She said.
She further noted that there should be concerted efforts to reduce infant mortality by providing quality healthcare.
The Foundation also equipped the maternity wing in Moiben County Hospital.
The CEC for Health Uasin Gishu County, Ms. Everlyne Rotich said the County is privileged to partner with the telecommunications company in bettering health of newborns in the region.
Among the equipment the Foundation brought to MTRH New Born Unit are: infant ventilator, incubators and cardiac monitors and Phototherapy Machines.
Safaricom team accompanying Ms. Okuthe included: Henry Kilonzo – Senior Manager Safaricom and Mpesa Foundation and Eunice Kibathi – Principal Officer Safaricom and Mpesa Foundation.
MTRH team present during the ceremony included: Ag. Director Paediatrics, Dr. John Chumba; Ag. Director Reproductive Health Services, Dr. Wycliff Koskei; Director Finance, Mathews Birgen; Director Health Administration, Christine Tonui; Dr. Audrey Chepkemoi, Consultant Nephrologist; Dr. Stephen Ondigo, Ag.Director Commercial Services; Nurse Manager NBU, Everlyn Mvungu and NBU staff among others.