March 19, 2024

Kingi Unveils a Multi-Million Covid-19 Facility

Multi million health facility unveiled by Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi. Image: Mwakwaya Raymond

By MWAKWAYA RAYMOND MWAKWAYA

Email: thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kilifi County government has unveiled a multipurpose medical complex in its preparation to combat the COVID 19 disease.

The ultramodern facility of 150 bed capacity with six Intensive Care Units (ICUs) fully fitted with ventilators has been described as ‘state-of-the-art’ facility in dealing with the dreadful virus in Kilifi township.

Presiding over the function, Governor Amason Kingi says apart from that facility his government has also set aside a residential accommodation for 14 medical personnel in the frontline of fighting the pandemic.

While launching the facility, Governor Kingi adds that the facility has been an ongoing project to be completed in September.

But the advent of COVID-19 forced the County government to change its plans and turn the facility into a complex one after the completion of the first phase.

“Initially, the whole project was set to have a cancer unit. ICU, RDU among other specialized units,” he says adding that the ground and first floors were ready to serve those tested positive for coronavirus.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi flanked by other county staff during the unveiling of the multi million health facility in the county. Image: Mwakwaya Raymond


ISOLATION CENTRES

This apart, the County has also established Isolation Centres at Mbudzi, Jibana, Gede, Mtwapa, and Malindi after being hit by its first COVID 19 cases in March.

”We must prepare and brace ourselves with any eventuality based on this pandemic. We cannot afford surprises! That’s why we are equipping this facility in readiness,” he says.

To ensure the County remains free from any positive cases after the last six patients who tested positive were all discharged, the government has put up stringent measures to maintain the status quo.

This aside, the County is concerned that the number of testing kits are few and cannot meet the challenges of mass screening so as to test, to isolate and to treat those found culpable.

To this end, the Governor has appealed to the national government to chip in and ensure KEMSA supplies enough such kits to all needy counties to facilitate more testing of people.

The County has also beefed up security to all its entry points while warning that those arrested using panya routes to gain access they will be dealt accordingly to the Public Health Act.

“I understand there are some individuals using panya routes to get in and out of Kilifi while others are gathering in large numbers to drink mnazi during authorized burial ceremonies, all those will be dealt with accordingly,” he warns.

APPREHENSIVE

The Governor is apprehensive that such behaviour he terms as ‘unfortunate’ can be fertile grounds for spreading the coronavirus in the villages and trading centres scattered within the County.

During the official launching ceremony Kingi was flanked by MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), Paul Katana (Kaloleni); County Assembly majority leader Adamson Mwathethe and Esther Akothee (musician) among others.

Meanwhile, Mombasa Cement has donated an Isolation Centre to Kilifi County government.

The facility situated at the ever-growing Mtwapa town which borders the neighbouring County of Mombasa has the capacity to accommodate at least 40 patients at once. 

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi (in white shirt right) inside an isolation ward at the facility. Image: (Courtesy)

Receiving the facility, Mr Kingi welcomed the businessman’s gesture saying it will go along way in assisting their County capacity for COVID 19 cases.

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