Residents of the remote villages of Ngarendare, Mbujuu and Manyangaro have received a major boost in access to healthcare following the opening of the first-ever maternity wing at Ngare Ndare Dispensary, a project jointly implemented by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the Meru County Government.
For decades, expectant mothers from the three villages were forced to walk for more than 18 to 20 kilometres to access maternity services in Nanyuki, Meru town or Isiolo, often putting their lives and those of their unborn children at risk.
Ngarendare resident Philis Macharia said the new facility has transformed the lives of women in the area.
“We are grateful to MCA Patrick Mutuma, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia for constructing and equipping this maternity. Many women used to walk long distances while in labour, and some babies developed complications. Others were assisted by untrained midwives at home due to lack of options,” Macharia said.
She added that the facility had changed the perception that the community was neglected, noting that women can now give birth in a safe and hygienic environment.
Faith Mumbi from Mbujuu echoed similar sentiments, saying the intervention had come at the right time.
“If it were not for the intervention of Kisima ward MCA Patrick Mutuma, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia, children would have continued being born with deformities due to home deliveries. Many women gave birth at home because they lacked fare or money for hospital services,” Mumbi said.
She urged the county government to deploy medical officers to ensure the facility operates on a 24-hour basis.
Charles Mworia, another resident, said Lewa Conservancy had played a key role in improving both health and education standards in the area.
“This dispensary was built from scratch by Lewa. During emergencies, it was very difficult to transport women in labour due to poor roads. Today, that burden has been eased. Lewa has also supported us during droughts by allowing livestock to graze along corridors and providing food,” Mworia said.
Speaking during the launch, Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia described the maternity wing as a life-changing project that would significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality.
“This maternity has state-of-the-art equipment and will ensure safer deliveries. We will deploy medical officers and ensure adequate drugs are supplied to this level two facility,” the governor said.
He also addressed land boundary disputes in the area, assuring residents that his administration would protect their rights and deal firmly with land grabbers.
“Land grabbing is a thorn in your flesh, but my government will defend you. We will not allow thieves to take advantage of our people,” M’Ethingia said.
Meru Deputy Governor Linda Kiome urged residents to make good use of the maternity and called for a renewed fight against teenage pregnancy.
“We value our young girls and want them to study first. Let us protect and educate this generation because they are the future leaders,” Kiome said, adding that the county government would soon begin providing fortified porridge to ECDE pupils.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Programmes Coordinator John Kinoti said the project was part of the conservancy’s commitment to community development through its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“Ngarendare is a landlocked area that lacked health services. The maternity will not only improve healthcare but also support environmental conservation by reducing risky movements during emergencies,” Kinoti said.
He noted that women previously gave birth at home or in forests due to lack of access to medical services, leading to high maternal and infant mortality rates.
The newly launched maternity wing has a 12-bed capacity and is fully equipped.
Lewa has invested over Sh 3.3 million in equipping the maternity with beds, baby warmers, delivery equipment, a washing machine and partitions.
The conservancy has also invested over Sh 5 million in equipping the laboratory, supplying reagents and servicing equipment, employed a laboratory technician, constructed staff housing and paid support staff salaries for over five years.
The Meru County Government constructed the maternity ward, while Lewa Wildlife Conservancy equipped it.
