Magunga Level 4 hospital became the latest beneficiary of SportPesa’s maternal health care support initiative on Friday morning.
The health centre, located in Gwassi South Division, Homabay County received delivery beds, maternity ward beds and an incubator from the gaming company’s Foundation.
Since the programme’s inception in March this year, various health centres in seven counties have received donations from SportPesa.
SportPesa Chief Executive Officer Captain Ronald Karauri, was the guest of honour at the presentation in Magunga and was welcomed pleasantly by grateful members of the community.
“We as SportPesa sat down and looked at the areas that needed most assistance and the data showed that healthcare is a top priority.
“We do not want mother’s to have to travel long distances to get proper healthcare and that is a reason we are here in Suba today,” Captain Karauri stated.
Magunga Level 4 Hospital was established in 1950 as a dispensary and was only upgraded to a level 4 health facility serving as a major referral hospital within the region in 2019.
With limited staff, resources and equipment available in the region, the hospital has barely been performing what they should be as a Level 4 facility.
“Some of these small donations that we make end up making the biggest difference and I am happy to be here to help this community,” he concluded.
In addition to the equipment, they donated sanitary towels which will be distributed to avert ‘sex for pads’ predatory behaviour in the area, where vulnerable women who are unable to afford sanitary towels are preyed on by men for cash to purchase these.
“We have not been able to fully execute a Level 4 hospital’s agenda but now with the help of SportPesa, things will change for this community.
“Our girls and women all over this area can have hope of a better health care system and for that we are very grateful,” Clinical Officer in charge of Health Homabay County, Gerald Akeche added.
The nurses later explained that the facility can help approximately 80 mothers in the area to deliver babies and they have been doing that with only two maternity beds available to them.
SportPesa’s addition to the beds was greatly appreciated by the hospital staff, who cited that it was the perfect time as we head into the Christmas season.
Secretary of the board and Sub County Officer of Health, Suba County , Ray Kajwang’ was in attendance and echoed the statements while heaping thanks for the support.
“This is a hardship area and we really appreciate the support we have gotten from SportPesa.
“This increases our drive to want to continue to serve our community because they need help and we are here to offer it,” he noted.
The latest support comes at a time when the United Nations World Health Organization and UNFPA have announced five new targets to cut maternal deaths globally.
The initiative – Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) – will incorporate an expanded network of partners working in maternal and newborn health.
It has set new milestones that are to be achieved by year 2025 if the Sustainable Development Goals are to be met globally.