Expectant mothers in Kakamega are set to benefit from a new state-of-the-art maternity ward being built at Likuyani Sub-County Hospital in a Sh90 million project aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.

The project is a joint initiative between the Kakamega County Government and Jacaranda Health, under the Tutunze Kakamega Service Delivery Redesign (SDR) strategy.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Fernandes Barasa said the 80-bed facility will be the largest maternity wing ever built in the county, marking a significant step toward strengthening maternal health care.

“We want to give our mothers dignity during childbirth and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. This facility will be a game-changer,” said Barasa.

The new facility will feature a labor ward, operating theatre, antenatal and postnatal units, a newborn care unit, a kangaroo room, and even a park area for recovering mothers.

The governor directed the contractor to complete the project by January 2026, emphasizing that the expanded facility will address the capacity challenges of the current 18-bed maternity wing.

“We are not just building structures we’re also equipping them to provide quality care. Access to essential services like medication must be guaranteed,” Barasa added.

The governor also urged lawmakers to review the Social Health Authority policy to allow for monthly contributions, making it easier for citizens to access care under the Barasa Care programme.

The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which targets reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Currently, the hospital records about 130 births a month, well below the expected 400.

Jacaranda Health Country Director Job Makoyo said the county has already implemented similar projects in Malava, Lumakanda, Matungu, and Butere, noting the broader aim is to cut maternal mortality and improve care quality.

“We are reimagining maternal healthcare to ensure mothers have access to skilled personnel, information, and modern equipment,” said Dr. Makoyo.

A mother who recently delivered at the hospital, Jane Khatika, welcomed the project, saying the new wing would ease congestion and offer mothers more privacy and better care.

“We thank the governor and his partners for this vision. This new facility gives us hope that more women will choose hospital deliveries, ultimately saving lives,” she said.

The maternity project is part of Kakamega’s broader strategy to improve healthcare access, with 99% of county residents living within an hour’s reach of Level Four and Five facilities.