Governor Anne Waiguru launches the new Kavote Dispensary in Karumandi Ward, bringing essential healthcare closer to more than 5,000 residents. /HANDOUTResidents of Karumandi Ward in Kirinyaga County no longer have to travel long distances for basic medical care following the opening of a new dispensary expected to serve about 5,000 people.
Kavote Dispensary, officially opened by Governor Anne Waiguru on Tuesday, will provide outpatient, maternal, and child health, laboratory, pharmaceutical, and preventive healthcare services.
The facility is expected to ease the burden on residents who previously travelled more than five kilometres to access basic healthcare services.
Waiguru said the investment was part of the county government’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare by bringing affordable and quality services closer to communities.
“Many illnesses can be prevented, detected and treated early before they develop into conditions requiring specialised treatment,” she said.
The governor said Kirinyaga had operationalised more than 13 new dispensaries across various wards, with additional facilities nearing completion.
“We have built 20 health centres and dispensaries in villages to help residents save time, money and risks associated with travelling long distances for treatment,” Waiguru said.
The county is also upgrading Kimbimbi and Kianyaga hospitals to Level Four facilities, with the new medical complexes reported to be 95 per cent complete and now undergoing equipping.
Waiguru said specialised services had also been expanded at Kerugoya County Referral Hospital as the county seeks to improve access to higher-level care.
The expansion of infrastructure is being accompanied by recruitment of healthcare workers. Waiguru said 64 doctors, specialists and nurses were recruited in the last financial year, while more than 116 additional staff are being recruited this financial year.
She attributed uninterrupted healthcare services in the county to a cordial relationship between the administration and healthcare workers, even as prolonged strikes have affected services in some other counties.
Technology has also been incorporated into the county’s healthcare system, with all 75 public health facilities now digitised.
Waiguru said the digital systems had improved patient records, reporting, accountability and decision-making while enabling the county to monitor facility performance more effectively.
Residents welcomed the new dispensary, saying it would save them time and money while improving access to timely treatment.
Karumandi MCA Caroline Wanjiku said the facility was part of wider development in the ward, including improvements in roads, water supply, markets and Early Childhood Development and Education centres.
“The standard our Governor has set is beyond what we expected, and we have seen real development in Karumandi,” Wanjiku said.
Nominated MCA Harrison Kariuki said the dispensary would particularly benefit expectant mothers and people living with disabilities who previously had to travel long distances for treatment.
Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari also praised the county’s investment in healthcare, saying improved availability of medicines had strengthened service delivery in public hospitals.
During the event, Waiguru also distributed 14 tents and 740 chairs to 25 self-help groups under the county’s socio-economic empowerment programme.
The county government also issued 155 high-density UPVC water pipes expected to benefit about 850 households in Karumandi.
