The Kakamega County government has commenced the construction of Butere Level Four Hospital at a cost of Sh100 million.
Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the hospital would enable residents of the sub-county and neighbouring areas to access quality medical services.
Oparanya said the facility will be complete in nine months time.
“We have decided to set up a modern Level four hospital at Butere sub county headquarters because the existing facility is too old and does not have the capacity to adequately serve the increasing number of patients seeking medical care,” he said.
Travelling costs
The governor made the remarks after laying a foundation stone for the project. He was accompanied by his deputy Philip Kutima, MCAs and other senior county officials.
He added that a modern mortuary that was being constructed at the area was almost complete.
Oparanya pointed out that the facilities would also be serving residents of the neighbouring Siaya county.
“One of the requirements for a health facility to qualify for Level four status is that it must have a mortuary. That is why we have constructed a morgue,” he added.
He said local residents had been forced to travel to Kakamega County General Hospital to seek medication.
“The new hospital will cushion them from travelling costs,” he added.
The governor said a Kenya Medical Training College would also be put up in the area to absorb students from Butere and beyond.
Prof Kutima said for the last nine years, the devolved unit had invested heavily in the health sector.
“Our governor has done a lot in the health sector. Kakamega is among the most developed counties in the country,” the DG said.
