Mombasa County in partnership with Safaricom Foundation has launched the first ever High Dependency Unit (HDU), at the Coast General Teaching and Referral hospital.
The HDU is expected to increase chances of survival for babies born prematurely, and those with underweight problems.
The unit has been set up at the Coast General Teaching and Referral hospital's maternity wing, and is capable of accommodating up to 40 babies, and 20 mothers in a single day.
Reports indicate that the project costed Sh21 million, with Safaricom donating Sh12 million, while County Government of Mombasa gave Sh9 million.
Speaking while launching the project last week, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho said it will be of great use for mothers and their babies.
“This is the first neonatal unit of its kind in this region and it will give infants a chance of survival. The status of this hospital has continued to be enhanced. It is not easy to go to a public hospital and see a patient smiling,” he said as quoted by Standard.
On the other hand, Safaricom Foundation trustee Rita Okuthe urged other counties to impress public-private partnerships, so that quality services are rendered to Kenyans
“As Safaricom Foundation, we are advocating for access to maternal, newborn and child heath services. One of the ways we are doing this is by giving infrastructure support to enable the provision and improvement of healthcare services,” she said.