Governor Anne Waiguru’s ambitious healthcare programme in Kirinyaga County is set to achieve a significant milestone with the nearing completion of a state-of-the-art medical complex at Kimbimbi Hospital.
The facility, which is 80 per cent complete, is expected to be fully operational by mid-year, upgrading Kimbimbi from a level 3 to a level 4 hospital.
The new complex is part of Waiguru’s broader vision to enhance healthcare infrastructure in the county, ensuring that residents benefit from high-quality medical care.
“Kimbimbi Hospital upgrading is a testament to Governor Anne Waiguru’s commitment to tackling the healthcare challenges in the county,” said Dr. Muriithi Nyaga, the County Chief Officer for Health Services.
He explained that the new complex will host a variety of services, including expanded wards, a fully equipped outpatient department, and improved maternity and surgical care, all designed to serve the growing needs of the region.
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Waiguru’s administration has also made notable strides in integrating cutting-edge technology to improve healthcare delivery.
The county recently installed its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) system at the hospital, which is integrated with the facility’s X-ray equipment.
The system is focused on enhancing diagnostic services, particularly in detecting conditions such as tuberculosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer, and musculoskeletal defects.
In addition to technological advancements, Waiguru’s efforts have seen the successful implementation of minimally invasive surgeries, with Kimbimbi Hospital recently performing its first laparoscopic cholecystectomy on a patient with cholecystitis.
While the hospital undergoes major improvements, residents of Kimbimbi have called for politics to be kept out of healthcare matters.
Local residents have expressed strong support for the services provided at the hospital, which they say have always been reliable and of high quality. Grace Nderitu, a Kimbimbi resident who visited the facility, commended the hospital's staff and services.
"The services at the facility have been superb and of benefit to the area residents, saying that it has adequate supplies, is clean and is manned by dedicated staff,” Nderitu said.
Joseph Mwangi, another resident, dismissed political claims suggesting the hospital was struggling to provide services, emphasising that Kimbimbi Hospital has long been a trusted facility.
“We are asking people to keep politics out of the healthcare sector. I have been coming to this hospital since I was young, the hospital has served us well,” he added.
Nyaga also defended the hospital’s services, noting that the facility not only serves residents of Kirinyaga but also patients from neighbouring counties like Embu and Murang’a, which speaks to its reputation for quality care.
As Kimbimbi Hospital moves closer to its upgraded status, Governor Waiguru’s vision for improving healthcare in Kirinyaga is becoming clearer, with ongoing upgrades to other hospitals, including Kianyaga and Sagana, and the operationalisation of new dispensaries across the county.
These efforts are all part of the broader 'Mountain Cities Blueprint 2032,' which aims to transform Kirinyaga into a model for healthcare excellence.
