Kerowagi Health Centre receives K100,000 funding for repairs

SWITZERLAND’S Eagle Foundation has again come to the aid of the Kerowagi Health Centre with a K100,000 funding for refurbishment work.
The centre is one of the many Government facilities that had been left to deteriorate since Independence.
Although the facility serves a population of 54,000 people, the relevant Government agencies had left it to deteriorate with funds lacking to maintain the facility.
Initiator of the funding Dr Alphonse Kambu said: “The people of Kerowagi realised the importance of the facility and the need to initiate something for its continued operation for the provision of health services.
“They did not sit back and wait for the Government agencies and authorities to come to their aid. They started searching to secure help from generous donors,” Dr Kambu said.
He said when he submitted the mid-term report for the first project to Eagle Foundation, it was impressed with the results especially the design, implementation and accountability of the project and requested coordinators to submit an additional proposal.
The Eagle Foundation board then approved a further K98,000 funding for the centre.
However, Dr Kambu said more face-lifting efforts were required for the centre, especially staff houses and medical supplies.
In 2008, the foundation provided US$50,000 (K132, 000) for the installation of a 2,000 litre water tank, water pump, replacement of corroded galvanised roofs, plumbing and piping of water supply, laying of tiles, replacement of louvers and wire mesh in some of the wards.
“This time it donated more than US$37,000 (K98,000) which will be managed by the Catholic church for the construction of a new kitchen, installation of hot water solar panels, laying of tiles, louvers and wire mesh for remaining wards,” Dr Kambu said.
Dr Kambu works with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as an international environmental lawyer and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
He secured the funding with the help of his father and mentor John Khambu and close friends, Professor Gary Sampson and his daughter Johanna Sampson and Dr Bradnee Chambers of UNEP.
Dr Kambu thanked Eagle Foundation, board members and friends for helping Kerowagi.
He also applauded Kerowagi district administration and the centre management for their cooperation.
He said for a rural district like Kerowagi, such aid would go a long way to enhance a healthy community who would in turn contribute to the development of the district, province and country.
Dr Kambu urged Kerowagi MP Guma Wau and Simbu Governor Fr John Garia to step in to assist.
Fr Garia presented a new ambulance to the centre last month for the people of Kerowagi.
The implementation of the project will begin this month under the supervision of Mr Khambu.