The County Government of Siaya on Friday hosted Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, and, his counterpart from the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Patrick Mariru together with their delegation, ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed modern Siaya County Referral Hospital and phase two upgrade of Jaramogi Oginga Stadium.
The proposed healthcare facility will be constructed through a collaboration between the National Government, via the Ministry of Defence, and the County Government of Siaya. Preliminary costs are estimated at KES 1.7 billion, with the first phase expected to cost KES 500 million.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will oversee the construction of the four-story facility, which will include an accident and emergency center integrated with an outpatient complex and a doctors’ plaza. The hospital will also feature a 500-bed inpatient wing, including oncology and general medical wards. The facility, to be built in phases, will also include a mother-and-child complex among other notable features.
Delivering welcome remarks and goodwill messages on behalf of Governor James Orengo, the Speaker of the County Assembly of Siaya, Rt. Hon. George Okode, who co-chaired the session with County Secretary Mr. Joseph Ogutu expressed gratitude to the National Government for moving beyond rhetoric to establish concrete plans for the facility’s construction. Hon. Okode reaffirmed the Nyalore’s administration particularly the County Assembly’s commitment to ensure the project is executed seamlessly.
Dr. Mariru assured attendees that the National Government would collaborate closely to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe. “We will implement a monthly work program to track progress,” he stated.
Dr. Oluga, who hails from Siaya County, emphasized that there would be no tolerance for substandard work. He noted that while the county has made commendable efforts to improve healthcare access for its residents as per the health indicators, further support is needed to enhance healthcare provision.
He also announced that Siaya County currently ranks 28th in Social Health Authority (SHA) registration and urged the county to mobilize more residents to register for health financing under the Universal Health Coverage program.
On commodity supply, Dr. Oluga reaffirmed the National Government’s commitment to ensuring the availability of medicines and critical equipment, such as X-ray machines. To achieve this, reforms are underway at KEMSA to ensure a seamless supply of medical equipment to healthcare facilities nationwide.
Regarding the digitization of healthcare facilities, Dr. Oluga stressed the importance of digital systems to provide accurate data for policy formulation.
Relaying greetings from the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, Dr. Oluga pledged to ensure the hospital is completed and equipped within the set timelines. He encouraged county leadership to begin planning for human resource needs.
The delegation then proceeded for a site tour of the Siaya County Referral Hospital and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium that is equally earmarked for phase two upgrade through the same partnership between the National Government and Nyalore government.
For the Phase Two upgrade of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium, the partnership will extend the terraces by adding five more, increasing seating capacity to accommodate larger crowds for future games and international events.
The design features a VIP pavilion with four parking areas, an expansion of terraces from five to seven with an overlapping structure, and durable, weather-resistant woven fiberglass coverings. Additional amenities include expanded toilet facilities, a cantilever design for unobstructed views during soccer matches, a bird’s-eye view perspective, and modern facilities to meet international standards.
To comply with FIFA standards, both levels of government have committed to enhancing lighting, incorporating modified pavilions with exit canopies at various entrances, and providing dedicated changing rooms for teams and technical staff.
Top county officials in attendance included County Executive Committee Members Agunda Ochanda (Governance, Administration, and ICT), Dr. Martin K’Onyango (Health and Sanitation), Dr. Edgar Otumba (Education, Gender, Youth Affairs, and Social Services), Mrs. Grace Agola (Trade, Enterprise, Industrialization, and Cooperatives), Mr. Maurice McOrege (Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development), Mr. Sylvester K’Okoth (Agriculture, Livestock, Food Security, and Blue Economy), and Mr. George Nying’iro (Acting Finance and Economic Planning). Also present were Chief of Staff Rt. Col. Cyrus Oguna, Chief Officers Dr. Samuel Omondi (Health and Sanitation), Judith Oyugi (Acting Tourism, Sports, Culture, and Arts), Eng. Kevin Ajuul (Roads and Public Works), Members of the County Assembly led by Majority Leader Hon. Edwin Otieno (Ugunja), Hon. Justus Oguta (West Uyoma), Hon. Seth Baraka (East Gem), Hon. Peter Oduor (Ukwala), and Directors led by Mr. Chrispine Omondi (Public Communications, Civic Education, and Petitions) and Dr. Sanmac Okoth (Sports), among others
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