- M-PESA Foundation invests KES 32 million in health projects in Lamu County;
In partnership with the County Government, the Foundation equipped Mokowe Hospital with state-of-the-art equipment and held a multi-specialty medical camp that benefitted close to 900 residents.
M-PESA Foundation, in partnership with the County Government of Lamu equipped Mokowe Sub-County hospital with a Maternal and Child Health Unit as well as a Trauma and Orthopedic Unit at a cost of KES 29 million.
The Foundation further funded a multi-specialty medical camp for KES 3 million at King Fahad Referral Hospital and Mokowe Sub- County Hospital. At King Fahad Referral Hospital, doctors conducted 57 successful surgeries during the 3 day camp.
The hospital was equipped with oxygen machines, nebulizers, medicine trolleys, suction machines, delivery beds, screening equipment, infant monitoring equipment, maternity chairs and an array of surgical equipment among other assorted items.
“Health is one of our key pillars at M-PESA Foundation, with a major focus on maternal and child healthcare. Since 2018, we have invested in Lamu County under this pillar where we have seen over 30,000 people get access to maternal care.This time round, we are expanding health services to residents of Mokowe while at the same rime impacting over 900 residents of Lamu through our extensive medical camps,” said Joseph Ogutu, Chairman, Safaricom Foundation.
The facility will now have the capacity to conduct orthopedic, gynecological and ophthalmic surgeries. In addition, patients with specialised cases such as chronic illnesses will access treatment as well as women suffering from fistula can be tracked and corrective surgeries performed.
“It is through such partnerships that we are able to develop and address the key challenges that we face as a county. Access to health care is a critical need among our people and we thank M-PESA Foundation for boosting our efforts in this sector. We look forward to improving health outcomes with the equipping of Mokowe Sub-County Hospital,” said Issa Timamy, Governor, Lamu County.
The medical camp provided an opportunity for Lamu residents to get orthopedic, pediatric care and specialist care using telemedicine technology. Furthermore, 100 mama packs were distributed to women who had delivered at King Fahad Referral Hospital as part of maternal care.