Governor George Natembeya on Friday presided over of the handing over of the 400-bed Level 5 Trans Nzoia Teaching and Referral Hospital (TTRH).
During the function held at the hospital’s grounds in Kitale, Governor Natembeya emphasized his commitment to completing projects initiated by the previous administration.
He further stressed the importance of utilizing public funds effectively and ensuring that projects are not left unfinished.
In addition, the governor highlighted that the TTRH, which is currently 80 percent complete, will play a crucial role in providing quality medical services to the people of Trans Nzoia.
He expressed his determination to eliminate the need for residents to travel long distances, particularly to Eldoret, for medical referrals.
“The handover marks a significant milestone in realizing my vision of providing the people of Trans Nzoia with accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare. The hospital will serve as the cornerstone of our Referral Services as we implement the Hub and Spoke model to expedite the achievement of Universal Health Coverage,” the County boss said.
Once completed, the Trans Nzoia Teaching and Referral Hospital is expected to alleviate congestion at the current Kitale Referral Hospital.
The hospital is further expected to cater for medical needs of a population of five million individuals from various regions, including Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, and Eastern Uganda.
Subsidized medical services
Benefiting from the proximity of Kitale airstrip and Eldoret airport, the hospital aims to attract health experts from other countries who can provide their services.
The facility will offer services at subsidized rates.
Further, the governor emphasized that the Trans Nzoia Teaching and Referral Hospital would contribute significantly to the county’s economy by creating business opportunities for residents involved in supplying goods and services to the facility.
It is expected to provide employment for over 1,000 individuals directly and 5,000 indirectly.
Being a teaching and referral hospital, it will also train its own healthcare personnel.
In addition to the handover, Governor Natembeya proposed renaming the hospital to “Kijana Wamlawa Memorial Hospital.”
He also announced plans to establish an internship program that will annually train up to 1,000 medical students, thereby enhancing service delivery to the local population.
The hospital’s projected annual revenue is estimated to exceed Ksh4 billion, and its specialized services are expected to reduce the need for external referrals.
Governor Natembeya made a commitment that his administration is committed to fully operationalizing the hospital by December of this year.
As part of the occasion, he also inaugurated a state-of-the-art ambulance to enhance accident and emergency services, along with a utility vehicle for patient referrals.
