The survival chances of premature babies in Western Kenya have received a massive boost with the commissioning of a Sh123 million ultra-modern Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOORTH).

Funded by a partnership between the Kisumu County Government and international donors, the facility is the largest of its kind in the region. It features 40 incubators, advanced CPAP machines for respiratory support, and a dedicated kangaroo mother care wing. Before this, parents with critically ill newborns had to travel to Eldoret or Nairobi, often losing their babies during the journey.

"No Mother Should Cry"

"We have been losing too many angels simply because we lacked the equipment to help them breathe," Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o said at the launch. "This facility will serve not just Kisumu, but the entire Lake Region Economic Bloc. We project it will save over 1,000 lives every year."

• Integrated Care: The unit is staffed by specialized neonatologists and includes a training center for nurses, ensuring that the hardware is matched by human competence.
• Regional Impact: The facility is expected to decongest the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, which has been overwhelmed by referrals from as far as Migori and Busia.

For mothers like Millicent Achieng, whose twins are currently in the new incubators, the building is not just a hospital; it is a miracle.