Homa bay: Homa Bay County has launched its second newborn unit at Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital in a major step toward improving neonatal and child healthcare services in the region. The facility, officially opened on Thursday, is expected to reduce congestion at the county referral hospital while improving access to life-saving care for newborns born prematurely or with complications.
According to Kenya News Agency, the new unit is anticipated to significantly improve newborn survival rates and enhance access to specialized neonatal care for families in Rachuonyo and neighboring areas. Speaking during the launch, County Pediatrician Dr. Maria Ogaya Gerald emphasized the county’s commitment to reducing neonatal mortality and improving child health outcomes. She highlighted that the current neonatal mortality rate stands at 32 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is nearly three times higher than the Sustainable Development Goal target.
Dr. Gerald pointed out that increasing neonatal care services by 80 percent at sub-county and county hospitals could prevent up to 47,000 neonatal deaths and help Kenya achieve its SDG targets. She noted that the Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital records about 1,500 births annually, making the new unit both necessary and timely. The unit is equipped with incubators, phototherapy machines, piped oxygen systems, and monitoring equipment to support newborns requiring specialized care.
The facility will function as a Level Two newborn unit, capable of managing neonatal sepsis, jaundice, and respiratory complications using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines donated by development partners. Jhpiego Kenya Country Director Paul Nyachae stated that the organization has collaborated with the Homa Bay County Government for more than five years to strengthen maternal, newborn, and child health services. Nyachae revealed that Jhpiego and the county government jointly invested approximately Sh30 million in newborn healthcare infrastructure and equipment across various health facilities in the county.
Homa Bay County Director of Health Dr. Gordon Okomo described the launch as a milestone in reducing maternal and infant mortality. He emphasized that the facility is a sign of hope for children and infants, providing a good start in life. Dr. Okomo noted the large population in Rachuonyo South Sub-County and the previous heavy reliance on referrals to the county referral hospital.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga commended Jhpiego for its partnership and support in advancing maternal and child healthcare in the county. She highlighted the distribution of medical equipment worth approximately Sh30 million across all sub-counties in Homa Bay. Governor Wanga added that healthcare workers have received training in comprehensive newborn care, emergency response, immunization, and nutrition. She emphasized the ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare services through recent recruitment of 90 additional healthcare workers and expansion of healthcare infrastructure at sub-county facilities.
The launch of the newborn unit underscores the collective responsibility to ensure every child born in Homa Bay receives the best possible start in life.
