A new state-of-the-art newborn unit was inaugurated at Port Reitz Subcounty Hospital in Mombasa on Saturday, in Partnership with the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation.
The Ksh.5 million newborn unit is equipped with modern equipment and trained staff to provide specialized care for premature babies and those with medical complications.
It aims to reduce the neonatal mortality rate in Mombasa, which is currently higher than the national average.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the neonatal mortality rate in Mombasa was 35 per 1,000 live births in 2019, compared to 22 per 1,000 at the national level.
The launch of the newborn unit was accompanied by a two-day free medical camp at the hospital, which offered various health services and education to the community.
The camp, which was funded by the KPC Foundation at a cost of Ksh.500,000, benefited over 2,000 people, including pregnant women, mothers, and children.
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The KPC Foundation is a corporate social responsibility arm of the Kenya Pipeline Company, which operates a network of pipelines that transport petroleum products across the country.
The foundation has been supporting various community health initiatives, especially in the areas of maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and malaria prevention.
Speaking at the event, KPC Managing Director, Joe Sang, said that the foundation was committed to addressing the health challenges facing the country, especially among the vulnerable groups.
He cited the latest Demographic and Health Survey Report, which showed that 16% of newborns in Kenya did not receive essential postnatal care within the first 48 hours of birth.
He also noted that the country had a high infant mortality rate of 32 per 1,000 live births and an under-five mortality rate of 41 per 1,000.
“We are proud to partner with the Mombasa County Government to establish this newborn unit, which will provide quality care for the babies who need it most.
We believe that this will contribute to reducing the neonatal mortality rate in Mombasa and improving the health outcomes of the mothers and children in this region,” he said.
Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir, who presided over the launch, expressed his appreciation to the KPC Foundation for their generous support.
He said that the newborn unit was a milestone achievement for the county, which had been striving to enhance its health infrastructure and services. He also praised the medical camp, which he said had provided valuable assistance to the residents of Port Reitz and its environs.
“We are grateful to the KPC Foundation for their unwavering support and partnership in this noble cause. We are confident that this newborn unit will make a positive difference in the lives of our mothers and infants, who deserve the best care possible,” he said.
The governor also urged the public to take advantage of the free medical camp, which he said was part of the county’s efforts to promote preventive and curative health care.
He encouraged the people to seek regular check-ups, follow the advice of the health workers, and adopt healthy lifestyles.
The newborn unit and the medical camp were also attended by other dignitaries, including the Mombasa County Commissioner, the Mombasa County Health Executive, the Port Reitz Subcounty Hospital Medical Superintendent, and representatives from the KPC Foundation and the hospital staff.
