Kilifi: The Coast Development Authority (CDA) has officially handed over a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU) block at the Malindi Sub-County Referral Hospital, marking a major boost to emergency and critical care services in the lower Coast region. The new facility is expected to significantly expand access to lifesaving care for residents of Kilifi County and neighbouring Lamu and Tana River, easing the pressure on long-distance referrals and strengthening the region’s health system.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project was constructed at a cost of Sh50 million and delivered in two phases. The ground floor now hosts the ICU, while the first floor accommodates the HDU and a mini-theatre. The block has an eight-bed capacity, including an isolation room, and will be jointly equipped by CDA and the Kilifi County Government.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development, Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe, hailed the project as a model of effective cooperation between national and county governments. She commended the Kilifi County leadership for their commitment to improving healthcare delivery and reaffirmed the Ministry’s support in ensuring the facility is fully equipped through a cost-sharing arrangement involving CDA and the county government.
Dr. Mwanasiti Bendera, the Acting Managing Director of CDA, expressed her satisfaction with the completion of the project under the Malindi Integrated Social Health Development Programme (MSHDIP) Phase 2. She noted that the Malindi Sub-County Referral Hospital serves a wide catchment area extending beyond Kilifi County to neighbouring Tana River, Lamu, and parts of Garissa, making the facility a vital regional health hub.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Florence Mbetsa Chibule lauded the CDA for successfully implementing the ultra-modern ICU and HDU project at the Malindi Sub-County Referral Hospital. She highlighted that the completion of the facility marks a major milestone in improving healthcare delivery within Kilifi County and the wider Coastal region, providing a significant boost to the health sector and relieving the previous burden on the county’s healthcare system.
