Source: The Star
BY RAPHAEL MWADIME
Tuesday, 03 January 2012
THE Mwatate District Hospital has received a boost after getting a donation of equipment worth Sh400 million from a Dutch organization undertaking wildlife conservation activities in the region. According to the Wildlife Care International Trust, the donation is aimed at encouraging the community to embrace the wildlife around them and also realise the importance of wildlife conservation.
The director of the organisation, Henk Beumer said that among the equipment donated by the organisation include X-ray machines, theater machines, beds among others. He said there was need to set up an operational theater at the hospital due to the frequency of wildlife attacks reported in the region.
Beumer said that many victims of wildlife attacks had to travel long distances to seek medical attention. This is what prompted the organisation to help in uplifting the standard of the hospital. “A pediatric ward should also be set up at the hospital for the community to have better medical services near them,” he said.
The director said that their organisation was working together with the Kenya Wildlife Service to ensure that they uplift the local community’s living standards by supporting development projects in the area while at the same time sensitising them on the importance of wildlife conservation.
Among those present during the donation of the equipment was former Mwatate MP Marseden Madoka, KWS senior warden in charge of the southern part of Tsavo West National park, Samuel Rukaria among other leaders. “Wildlife is important to our country thus the need to encourage our people to protect wildlife,” Madoka said.
He said most of the equipment was taken to Mwatate District Hospital since it is where most of the wildlife attack incidents are reported. “The equipment is expected to boost services at the Mwatate hospital although some of the equipment will be taken to the Voi District Hospital in a bid to improve medical services. Since Mwatate district is the county headquarters, we want to ensure it becomes a full-fledged hospital with all the necessary equipment for better health care of our people,” he said.
