The First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto has called for urgent maternal health care in the arid and semi-arid areas.

Speaking during the official opening of the Segera Mission hospital in Laikipia North Constituency, Mama Rachel Ruto urged for an urgent response in light the drought.

“The people living in these regions face many unique health and well-being challenges, worsened by drought, that requires a compassionate and urgent response,” Mama Rachel Ruto said.

The mission hospital was started by the late Rev. Carlton Gleason in 2002 after seeing the needs of the people of Segera. He started a medical clinic, a school, a feeding program for widows and orphans, and a mission outreach that includes a fully-fledged hospital.

Being the only hospital in a 72-kilometre radius, Segera Mission Hospital will provide essential medical services that save thousands of Kenyans the expense of travelling far for treatment. 

The maternity wing, in particular, will significantly reduce the risks associated with childbirth, at a time when one in eleven women die due to inadequate access to quality healthcare.

The First Lady further donated food to residents affected by the drought, the worst in 40 years, where some regions have missed rain for five consecutive seasons due to climate change.

The event was also attended by Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, Laikipia North Member of Parliament Sarah Korere, Laikipia County Assembly Speaker Lantano Nabaala, and Laikipia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri.