Meru County is expanding specialised healthcare services in public hospitals, with the installation of diagnostic equipment, construction of theatres and maternity facilities and upgrading of major hospitals to improve treatment closer to residents.
The county is implementing 24 health infrastructure projects, including the proposed KES 1.2 billion elevation of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital to Level Six and the upgrading of Kanyakine, Miathene and Nyambene hospitals to Level Five.
Director of Health Services Moses Baiyenia said the investments were part of Governor Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia’s efforts to address infrastructure gaps, staff shortages and poor working conditions that have previously contributed to disputes and strikes by health workers.
“Since Governor Mutuma came into office, he has embarked on a series of development agendas. Top on priority has been the Department of Health,” Baiyenia said.
He said the administration was implementing major infrastructure projects to increase hospital capacity and improve healthcare delivery across the county.
At Nyambene Hospital, the county has installed a CT scan and completed a male ward, which Baiyenia described as the first of its kind in the Nyambene region.
The administration has also completed a 129-bed inpatient block at Miathene Sub-County Hospital and installed an oxygen plant at the facility.
Baiyenia said the developments were among the major projects being undertaken at the three hospitals targeted for elevation.
The county is also developing a maternal and newborn care facility at Mituntu Health Centre in Kianjai Ward, which will include a theatre, maternal intensive care unit and neonatal intensive care unit.
The project is expected to increase the facility’s capacity to manage maternal and newborn emergencies and provide services closer to communities.
“This means the facility will be able to address all mother and newborn needs in the facility,” Baiyenia said.
Other maternity projects are being undertaken at Ngare Ndare Dispensary in Kisima Ward, Buuri; Muuti O Kiama Health Centre in Abogeta East; Nthambiro Dispensary in Igembe Central; Mweronkanga Health Centre in Akithi Ward, Tigania West; Lailuba Health Centre in Muthara Ward; and Limoro Dispensary in Athwana Ward.
A maternity facility is also planned at Kibiru in Athwana Ward.
At Mikumbune Sub-County Hospital in Nkuene Ward, South Imenti, the county is expanding surgical and other medical services.
Governor Mutuma said the facility provides maternity, theatre, laboratory, pharmacy, ultrasound, dental, ophthalmology and physiotherapy services.
He said a new surgical ward was being added to increase capacity for patients requiring operations and recovery.
“This investment will strengthen the hospital’s ability to handle more cases locally and reduce the need for patients to travel far in search of treatment,” Mutuma said.
The governor also said the hospital was well stocked with medicines and urged residents from Mikumbune and neighbouring areas to use the facility.
“Quality healthcare must not only be available, it must be accessible, reliable and close to the people,” he said.
The infrastructure programme includes theatre construction at Githongo Hospital in Abothuguchi West, Central Imenti, Muthara Sub-County Hospital in Tigania East and Mikumbune Hospital.
Githongo is also listed for an oxygen plant and X-ray services, while Muthara is earmarked for a morgue.
Laboratories are being developed at Mituntu Health Centre and Kibiru Dispensary. Mikumbune is also listed for a dental unit and male ward.
The Timau Hospital Upgrade Programme in Buuri forms part of the county’s wider health expansion plans.
In Kisima Ward, Ngusishi Dispensary has been completed and is awaiting operationalisation.
At Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mutuma says his administration has begun addressing infrastructure challenges that he found when he took office on March 17, 2025.
The governor said the county had lobbied for a commitment of Sh1 billion to transform the hospital’s infrastructure and give it a modern outlook.
He also said the county had committed Sh46 million to complete an old storey building that had remained unfinished for more than 13 years.
According to Mutuma, an ultra-modern CT scan has been installed, the cancer unit inpatient block completed and chemotherapy services expanded from two days a week to throughout the week.
The planned hospital transformation is intended to strengthen specialised treatment and improve the facility’s role as a referral centre.
The expansion is being supported by national government interventions, with the Ministry of Defence confirming technical and engineering assistance for the proposed elevation of Meru Level Five Hospital and Nyambene-Maua Hospital.
Nyambene-Maua is expected to be upgraded from Level Four to Level Five, with its bed capacity projected to increase from 147 to 257 beds.
The county’s health infrastructure programme follows commitments Mutuma made during his inauguration, including improving healthcare access for vulnerable residents through the Social Health Authority.
He pledged to pay health insurance contributions for the poorest and most vulnerable residents and strengthen preventive healthcare through Community Health Promoters.
Cancer care was also included in his health agenda, with commitments to revive the Mount Kenya Run as a fundraising initiative for cancer patients and establish a state-of-the-art cancer centre.
The administration also identified programmes targeting HIV infections, gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies.
However, the expansion of healthcare infrastructure comes with the need for additional health workers, medicines, equipment and operational funding.
The county’s previous disputes with health unions over staffing, motivation and working conditions highlight the importance of ensuring that new facilities are adequately equipped and staffed.
The success of the projects will ultimately depend on whether they translate into improved access to specialised treatment, faster emergency response, better maternity services and reduced referrals for patients seeking care outside the county.
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