Locals Welcome Khwisero Mother and Child Hospital as Construction Nears Completion
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Residents of Kisa Central have welcomed the ongoing construction of the Khwisero Mother and Child Hospital, saying the project is expected to bring essential healthcare services closer to the community.
They say the facility has been a long-standing dream and will reduce the burden residents face when travelling long distances to seek medical treatment.
Reagan Mwinami, a resident of Kisa Central, said the lack of a nearby Level 4 hospital has made it difficult for residents to access timely healthcare.
He said patients have sometimes encountered shortages of medicine and limited availability of doctors, resulting in delays in treatment.
"As residents of Kisa Central, we have been having a difficult time because we have not had a Level 4 hospital. At times, you find that there are no medicines and doctors are unavailable. But once this hospital is established, we will be able to decongest the health facilities and services will be provided faster," he stated.
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Mwinami noted that the hospital is expected to bring healthcare services closer to residents while also contributing to the growth of the area.
He mentioned that the presence of doctors and other workers could increase demand for rental housing and boost businesses around Ikolomani Market.
Wycliffe Sande, another resident of Kisa Central, said the hospital would ease the challenge of travelling long distances for treatment, noting that construction of the facility is nearing completion.
Sande disclosed that residents have previously been forced to travel to Butere for services such as X-ray examinations, making healthcare costly, while the new facility would make it easier for patients to access treatment, including during emergencies at night.
"The hospital was far away, in Khwisero, and travelling from here to there was costly, making it especially difficult for patients who fell sick at night. If the hospital is nearby, even a patient could walk to the facility to seek medical care," he stated.
Sande also said the hospital would create employment opportunities for residents through jobs such as security and cleaning services.
He added that small businesses, including those selling fruits and other goods, could benefit from increased activity around the facility.
John Okwomi, a Khwisero resident and boda boda rider, said the Mother and Child Hospital has given residents hope of accessing healthcare services closer to home.
He revealed that residents previously had to travel to Butere for treatment because nearby facilities lacked adequate services, increasing the cost and difficulty of accessing healthcare.
Okwomi said the facility would be particularly important for mothers and children, including pregnant women who require reliable and safe medical care.
He said residents are hoping the project will be completed and properly equipped with medicine, health workers and the necessary facilities.
Okwomi also said the hospital could contribute to economic growth once it becomes operational, as doctors, nurses and other workers are expected to live nearby and support local businesses by purchasing goods and services from residents.
Meanwhile, the ongoing construction of Matungu Technical and Vocational College (TVC) is raising hopes among residents of Namberekeya, with the institution expected to bring technical education and employment opportunities closer to young people.
Residents said the college was already benefiting the local community through construction-related jobs and small businesses.
Ekesa, a resident of Namberekeya village, said parents and villagers welcomed the college because it had brought training opportunities closer to their children.
He said many young people had wanted to pursue courses such as engineering, carpentry and catering but had been unable to travel far because of school fees and other expenses.
Ekesa said the institution would enable young people from the area and those coming from other places to acquire skills and avoid being left behind.
He also said the college would contribute to the growth of the area by attracting businesses and accelerating development around the institution.
"As you can see, this area will expand, and business will grow. Although there is no electricity, we hope electricity will also come very soon," he stated.
Joseph Odunga, a Form Four leaver from Matungu near Namberekeya, said the construction of the college had already given young people hope, with some earning income through daily work at the site.
He said women were also benefiting by preparing food for construction workers and expanding their small businesses.
"This school is benefiting young people because some youths are already earning income from working during the construction," he noted.
Odunga said the college would give young people who had previously been unable to join institutions far from home an opportunity to continue their education closer to their families.
He said students interested in electrical engineering, catering and other short technical courses would have a nearby institution where they could acquire practical skills.
"The young people have also realized that the government remembers them and has brought a school closer to them; it gives them the motivation to finish high school and continue with higher education," he added.
Reporting originally appeared via Nairobi Leo. Read the full source for additional context.