Governor Unveils 400-Bed Teaching Hospital to Transform Medical Services and Economy
Governor George Natembeya presided over a significant ceremony on Friday, during which the 400-bed Level 5 Trans Nzoia County Teaching and Referral Hospital (TTRH) was officially handed over to the county administration.
During the handover, Governor Natembeya emphasized his commitment to completing projects initiated by the previous administration.
He stressed the importance of utilizing public funds effectively and ensuring that projects are not left unfinished.
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.
Furthermore, Governor Natembeya stated, “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.”
Once finished, the project is expected to alleviate congestion at the Kitale Referral Hospital and cater to 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.
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.
The governor further emphasized that the hospital would contribute significantly to the county’s economy by creating business opportunities for residents involved in supplying goods and services to the facility.
The TTRH is expected to provide employment for over 1000 individuals directly and 5000 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 1000 medical students, thereby enhancing service delivery to the local population.
The hospital’s projected annual revenue is estimated to exceed 4 billion, and its specialized services are expected to reduce the need for external referrals.
Governor Natembeya concluded by assuring 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.
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