New maternal unit commissioned at Kangundo Hospital

The County Government of Machakos has officially commissioned a Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Unit at Kangundo Level 4 Hospital, a move set to improve access to quality and affordable care for mothers and children.

The new 22-bed maternity unit was constructed through a partnership between the Machakos County Government and the Safaricom M-PESA Foundation.

The modern facility is equipped to handle safe deliveries, emergency obstetric care, advanced newborn services, and comprehensive postnatal care.

Speaking during the commissioning in Kangundo on Friday, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti noted that the investment reinforces the county’s primary health care agenda and advances the national goal of achieving universal health coverage.

“The facility ensures that more mothers and children in Kangundo and surrounding areas can access dignified, modern, and well-equipped healthcare closer to home,” said the governor.

She also lauded the Safaricom Foundation for its role in expanding health infrastructure in the county, adding that the partnership model will be key to bridging gaps in service delivery across other sub-counties.

At the same Hospital in Kangundo, the Governor further took a major step in modernizing healthcare waste management by commissioning a Medical Microwave Shredder at Kangundo Level 4 Hospital in efforts to strengthen infection prevention and public health safety across the county

She pointed out that the new shredder will enable the safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly treatment and disposal of infectious medical waste, a technology that works by using microwave energy to sterilize waste before shredding it, eliminating pathogens without incineration.

“This equipment will significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission, protect our healthcare workers, and promote a cleaner, healthier environment for both patients and the wider community,” said the governor.

She highlighted that the introduction of the microwave shredder positions Kangundo Level 4 Hospital among facilities adopting non-incineration technologies, in line with Kenya’s push for greener and safer medical waste disposal.

Wavinya affirmed that similar upgrades will be prioritized across other health facilities in Machakos to ensure uniform standards of care and environmental safety.

Health experts say the investment directly enhances compliance with national healthcare waste management standards set by the Ministry of Health and NEMA. It also strengthens infection prevention and control protocols within the facility, which serves thousands of residents from Kangundo and neighboring sub-counties.

By Anne Kangero