For years, families in Nairobi whose babies were born prematurely had limited options when they needed specialized newborn care.
Many were forced to seek treatment in private hospitals or travel to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
But this is changing as now Mbagathi County Hospital with new and expanded specialised services is giving residents access to care that was previously difficult to find within the county facility.
Speaking to County Pulse News, Woodley MCA Davidson Ngibuini, popularly known as DNG, highlighted the changes at the hospital, which serves residents of his ward and surrounding areas.
He said Mbagathi County Hospital is expanding its specialized healthcare services, with a newborn intensive care unit for premature babies among the latest developments at the Nairobi facility.
“Mbagathi Hospital in my ward is the first county hospital in Nairobi to have a newborn ICU for preterm babies…. before a preterm baby had to go to a private facility or KNH,” He said.
He says the hospital is now better equipped to handle cases that previously required patients to be referred to private hospitals or Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
He says the unit is providing specialized care for preterm babies, reducing the need for families to seek treatment outside the county facility.
For parents, the significance goes beyond having another unit at a public hospital. Premature babies often require dedicated monitoring and equipment from the moment they are born.
When such services are unavailable, families can face the additional burden of finding another hospital while their newborn needs urgent care.
What does this mean for devolution?
The MCA also said work is underway to establish an adult intensive care unit at the hospital.
Mbagathi has also expanded its range of outpatient and specialised services, with Ngibuini highlighting the introduction of a dental unit and an ophthalmology unit offering eye treatment and surgery.
He added that the hospital has started offering neurosurgical services, further broadening the range of specialized treatment available at the county facility.
The developments come as county governments continue to take on a greater role in the delivery of healthcare services under Kenya’s devolved system.
For residents of Woodley and neighbouring areas, the expansion of services at Mbagathi could reduce the need to travel to national referral hospitals or seek treatment in private facilities for specialised care.
Ngibuini also spoke about the proposed construction of a flyover at Prestige Junction along Ngong Road.
Prestige Flyover
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has proposed two flyovers along the road, with the second one planned at the Daystar Roundabout.
The projects are intended to address congestion along Ngong Road, one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors linking the city centre with areas including Karen and Ngong.
Ngibuini welcomed the proposed Prestige Junction flyover, saying public participation on the project has already commenced.
The proposed infrastructure is expected to improve traffic flow at the junctions and reduce delays for motorists using the busy road.
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