A lifeline has been extended to expectant mothers in Bungoma County with the official opening of a state-of-the-art maternity theatre at Cheptais Sub-County Hospital.

The facility, a collaborative effort between the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation and the Bungoma County Government, is set to dramatically improve maternal and infant health outcomes in the region.

The new maternity theatre, constructed and equipped at a cost of Sh8 million by the KPC Foundation, is a beacon of hope for a community grappling with alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality.

With a capacity to handle at least five births daily, the facility will offer essential services including antenatal care, safe delivery, and postnatal support.

Speaking at the launch, KPC Foundation Manager, Rachel Gathoni, underscored the urgency of addressing the maternal healthcare crisis in Kenya.

“Nearly 2.6 million people in Kenya fall into poverty or remain poor due to ill health each year,” she stated.

“In light of this, the KPC Foundation endeavours to alleviate pressing health needs in grassroots communities across the country through CSR activities anchored under the Foundation’s health pillar. I am confident that this facility will go a long way in ensuring enhanced access to maternal healthcare for Bungoma County residents and promote preventive and curative healthcare.”

Echoing the sentiment, Bungoma County Health and Sanitation Executive Committee Member, Carolyne Makali, expressed profound gratitude to the KPC Foundation for their partnership.

"The construction of this facility has come at a critical time," Makali stated.

She highlighted the county's challenges, including high rates of teenage pregnancy and HIV infection, and emphasized that the new theatre will not only save lives but also contribute to the overall health of the community.

"The equipping of this facility will therefore not only save lives but will also contribute to the overall well-being of our community. This project is a testament to what can be achieved when multisectoral organizations work together for the common good," she said.

The new maternity theatre is the sixth healthcare facility constructed by the KPC Foundation, with similar projects successfully completed in Mombasa, Laikipia, Kitui, and Murang’a counties.

This latest initiative reinforces the foundation’s dedication to improving healthcare access and quality in underserved regions across Kenya.