Patients in Kwale County can now access vital surgical and maternal healthcare services closer to home following the upgrade of Mkongani Health Centre to a Level 4 facility. The milestone, completed in February 2025, was officially commissioned by Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani in collaboration with President William Ruto.
The transformation is a major boost for residents who previously had to travel long distances to access advanced medical care in hospitals like Kwale County, Kinango, Msambweni, or Coast General in Mombasa. Mkongani’s elevation to a Level 4 hospital brings critical services such as inpatient care, a functional theatre, specialized outpatient clinics, and chronic disease management to the region.
Governor Achani announced that Mkongani is one of five facilities recently upgraded in Kwale, alongside those in Kwale, Samburu, Kinango, and Lungalunga sub-counties. “Upgrading our health facilities is not just about buildings—it’s about saving lives, empowering communities, and bringing essential services closer to the people,” she said.
Since its upgrade, Mkongani Sub-County Hospital has served over 11,000 residents and successfully conducted more than 27 surgical procedures. Medical superintendent Dr. Beatrice Chaka praised the hospital’s expanding capabilities and revealed that an X-ray unit is under construction to boost diagnostic services further.
For patients like Suleiman Konerwa, who suffered from hydrocele, the hospital’s new capacity has been transformative. “People thought my condition was caused by witchcraft. That kind of stigma made life unbearable. I thank God the surgery was successful,” he shared.
Expectant mothers have also welcomed the change. Rose Koplo and Purity Muia recounted the risks women previously faced during complicated deliveries due to the long distances to referral hospitals. “Sometimes we lost either the mother or the child,” Muia said.
Governor Achani reiterated her commitment to healthcare reform, noting that since taking office, her administration has built and equipped 178 health facilities and hired over 1,800 health professionals across Kwale. “These investments are about dignity, access, and saving lives. Every resident of Kwale deserves timely, quality medical care,” she affirmed.
