Nairobi County is building an additional newborn unit at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital to alleviate crowding at Pumwani Maternal Hospital and improve maternal healthcare in the region.

• The new unit will add 53 beds to address critical health challenges, including high maternal mortality rates.
• Currently, Pumwani Hospital handles 25,000 to 30,000 deliveries per year, leading to thousands of mothers seeking delivery services there.
• CEO Dr. Fredrick Obwanda stated the project is a milestone in tackling overcrowding and improving neonatal care, allowing for skin-to-skin (kangaroo mother) care.
• The project also aims to restore dignity to mothers and newborns through a zero-separation approach, as highlighted by Board Chair Dr. Dorcus Kemunto.
• This development comes as Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) faces an upsurge in patients due to the ongoing medics' strike, with its maternity department handling double its normal intake.