The grand opening of the refurbished Jumuia Friends Hospital Kaimosi (JFHK) is now set for January next year.
This was revealed yesterday during the soft opening of the facility in Vihiga County, that was attended by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Patrons Rtd. Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi and Dr. Timothy Njoya, Trustees Rt. Rev. Dr. Jesse Kamau, Rev. Geoffrey Songok and Rev. Dr. Julius Karanja.
Also present during the ceremony presided over by the Board Chairman of Jumuia Hospitals Ltd. Mr Kibuga Kariithi were his members Rev. Canon Peter Karanja (Also NCCK General Secretary) Rtd. Bishop Henry Kathii, Mr. Karanja Kahia, Mr. Albert Ambune, Dr. Nelson Makanda (Also NCCK Deputy General Secretary), NCCK’s Honorary Treasurer Mr. Sam Mwale, Hamisi Member of Parliament Dr. Charles Gimose, senior clergy as well as senior staff of the Council.
The brief but elaborate ceremony began with an extensive tour of the 100-bed capacity hospital.
Speaking during the function, Trustees Rev. Dr. Kamau, Moderator Songok and Rev. Karanja hailed the project describing it as “pleasantly surprising.”
Moderator Songok said: “It is a humble beginning to see how this place has become a complex. Indeed I must say that you are touching lives. We have been running to Nairobi for treatment, let’s now start running to this place.”
On his part Moderator Karanja said: “This is a humbling experience. It was a dream that was difficult to understand. Hospitals are not like hotels. Seeing the work NCCK has done tells us what joy we can bring to our community when we walk together. We now need total determination that we can do it and change the mission of the Church.”
“I have seen and now I believe. I will write something about it,” said Rtd Arch. Nzimbi while admiring the facility.
For Dr. Njoya and Mr. Mwale, JFHK offered a pleasant opportunity to begin their numerous trips to Kaimosi.
“It is my first time to be here. I came because I have heard a lot about this place. Well done! Everybody deserves quality medi-care. I thank God for this project,” said the NCCK Treasurer.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kibuga Kariithi rallied stakeholders to support the project saying it was a proud moment for the Council.
His sentiments were echoed by J.H Board members Mr. Kahia, Bsp. Kathii, Mr. Ambune and Finance and Administration Committee member Mr. James Ochami.
Mr. Ambune and Mr. Ochami reminisced their childhood days when they used to visit the facility-then the largest referral hospital in East Africa- for treatment. Ambune said: “This used to be my hospital during my youthful days. It pained me to see it going down. But now I am delighted to see it reborn. Let’s all support it.”
Ochami said: “I am happy to be associated with the hospital. It has started being what it used to be. Let us continue praying for it.”
Vihiga County Secretary and Head of Public Service Linet Abdalla who spoke on behalf of her Governor H.E Moses Akaranga said: “I am proud to be associated with this facility. We shall work with you and support you.”
Similarly Dr. Gimose promised to work with the Council and the County Government to ensure that infrastructure is improved.
The function comes hot on the heels of a visit by NCCK staff two months ago. The 100-bed capacity hospital, was renovated at a cost of Ksh.250 million courtesy of the East African Development Bank. Among the salient features of the fully equipped state-of-the-art hospital, are 2 theatres, an Intensive Care Unit and a modern morgue.
