Operations kick off at Wanini Keriri Magereza Hospital in Ruiru
The newly constructed Wanini Keriri Magereza Hospital has kicked off operations at Ruiru, Kiambu County, offering a reprieve to residents as well as prisoners and workers.
The level 4 facility located within the Kenya Prison Staff Training College, will offer healthcare services to officers, prisoners and the nearby community.
To witness the operationalization of the hospital whose construction began in 2022, was Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Salome Beacco and her Medical Services counterpart Dr Ouma Oluga among other senior government officials who also toured the various service points.
Beacco said the action was in compliance to a directive by President William Ruto and that besides the officers serving in her department, about 60,000 inmates and members of the public will also have access to the modern hospital.
“We are registering all our inmates with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and all prison staff will have fully migrated to the platform by August 1. It is timely that this hospital is available to the community and our officers so that all can enjoy universal health cover,” stated Beacco.
She added that the Kiambu county government through Governor Kimani Wamatangi has agreed to post medical staff to the new hospital.
“Plans are underway and actually ongoing to formalize an MoU with the Kiambu county government to facilitate deployment and support from specialized medical personnel to the facility,” Beacco divulged.
Additionally, she said, further discussions are in place with Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital with regard to interim utilization of their their mortuary facilities pending completion of the Ruiru hospital mortuary.
PS Oluga on his part said the new health facility will be fully operational within a month after opening, as more equipment is being installed.
“We have began with the outpatient department that becomes operational immediately and within the next 30 to 60 days all other services will be in place,” said Oluga.
The Medical Services PS also emphasized the need for Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) for realization of President Ruto’s commitment to provision of universal healthcare.
“We want to assure the President of our commitment to work collaboratively with various departments towards achieving the government’s universal healthcare goal,” the PS reiterated.
He also pointed out that the Ruiru Magereza hospital becomes the first level 4 facility to be established in the state department for correctional services and that it is the first step towards availing quality healthcare to prison workers, inmates and the general public.
Prison Service Commissioner General Patrick Aranduh said healthcare is a critical component of the service and hence the new hospital will contribute to improved staff welfare and better working conditions.
“Kenya Prison Service remains committed to implementing strategies that will enhance the working environment of our officers, improve service delivery, motivate staff and strengthen the public image of our institutions,” Aranduh maintained.
