Siaya County is set to transform its healthcare landscape with the groundbreaking of a new hospital complex at the Siaya County Referral Hospital.
The ground breaking ceremony, was attended by key leaders, including Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Soipan Tuya, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, and Siaya Governor Hon. James Orengo.
The new complex aims to be a turning point for the county, which, despite strides in maternal health and immunization, still faces a high burden of HIV/AIDS and malaria, alongside rising cases of diabetes and hypertension. According to Dr. Oluga, this project is about more than just infrastructure; it’s about delivering hope, equity, and access to quality healthcare for all Siaya residents.
The national government is backing the project through the National Equipment Supplies Program (NESP), which has already supplied Siaya County Referral and Rambwa Sub-County Hospitals with ultrasound machines. More equipment, including a digital X-ray, dialysis machines, and laboratory and theatre facilities, is on the way. Additionally, the KSh 50 million Urenga Level 3A Hospital is nearing completion.
On the front of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Social Health Authority (SHA) has registered over 400,000 Siaya residents, representing 40.7percent of the population. While only 26.7 percent of those registered are active contributors, the national government has been actively supporting healthcare in the county. The Ministry of Health has disbursed KSh 191 million through the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has paid out KSh 225 million in claims. This has injected more than KSh 416 million into healthcare providers across the county.
The new hospital complex will offer advanced diagnostic, surgical, and emergency services. It will also expand care into specialized fields like cardiology, oncology, and mental health, helping to decongest lower-level facilities. The project is expected to create jobs and training opportunities for healthcare workers.
Dr. Oluga highlighted the project as a powerful example of the partnership between the national and county governments, working together to ensure that children born in Siaya have the same opportunity for health and well-being as those in Nairobi.
