Bomet breaks ground for first of 10 Amsons Mother and Child Hospitals

Kenya has commenced the construction of the inaugural hospital among 10 planned Mother and Child facilities, as part of a KSh4.5 billion initiative spearheaded by Pan-African conglomerate Amsons Group. The groundbreaking ceremony, held in Bomet County, was attended by President William Ruto, who underscored the significance of this Ksh35 million endeavor aimed at enhancing access to maternal, newborn, and child healthcare, particularly in underserved regions.

Known as the Amsons Mama na Mtoto Kwanza initiative, the project is being carried out through the Amsons Group Foundation, with the objective of benefiting over a million women across key regions including Nairobi, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, and West Pokot. These hospitals, each with a capacity of 250 beds, will be developed under a Build, Equip, and Transfer (BoT) model in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale highlighted that the initiative aligns with the government's ongoing health sector investments, including the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Project, which focuses on expanding and equipping healthcare facilities, especially Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals. President Ruto emphasized that these hospitals will bolster access to essential services such as inpatient care, emergency services, referrals, specialized treatment, and advanced diagnostics.

The local governments and the Ministry of Health will provide staffing and medical supplies for the facilities upon completion. As Kenya grapples with a significant maternal and child mortality rate, with 26 counties identified as high-burden areas, Amsons Group asserts that these hospitals will substantially improve access to pre- and postnatal care for women in remote and rural communities.