First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Friday handed-over the last mobile clinic to Nairobi County as the 33-month journey came full circle.
“It is befitting that Nairobi is the final recipient of the mobile clinic because this is where the journey all began three years ago”, said a visibly excited First Lady as she handed the facility to Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.
During the event, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the campaign has helped Kenya record tremendous improvement on key health indicators. The President said through homegrown solutions and local resources, the First Lady’s initiative had boosted the government’s effort towards ensuring Kenyans have access to quality healthcare services.
“The Beyond Zero campaign has revealed the resilience, the spirit of togetherness and our commitment to the value of our mothers and children and our shared prosperity,” he said.
Uhuru was speaking when he briefly joined the First Lady during the handing -over ceremony of the 47th fully-kitted mobile clinic to Nairobi County at State House, Nairobi. He said Beyond Zero has become an inspiration for action and change.
The First Lady reflected on the journey she had undertaken, traversing thousands of miles to reach all 47 counties. She thanked philanthropists and corporate sponsors who stood with her cause to secure the mobile clinics, volunteers, and runners who participated in events to make Beyond Zero a success.
“You all convinced me, through your commitment, sacrifice, and generosity that together, we as a country can tackle any issue, take on any challenge.
We must build the stronger, healthier and resilient future,” she said The First Lady said the last mobile clinic to Nairobi marks the end of the first phase of Beyond Zero, adding that the second phase will be initiated by construction of the proposed Sh2.2 billion referral hospital.
“While today marks the end of one phase of Beyond Zero’s journey, it also marks the beginning of another, which is to build a state-of-the-art national referral hospital for mothers and children,” she said During the ceremony, Nairobi County First Lady Susan Mboya-Kidero donated medical supplies and equipment worth Sh10 million from the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation towards the Beyond Zero initiative.
Others at the function included Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu, Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri, members of the UN, Counties First Ladies and officials from the National Aids Control Council.