Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects: Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Project for the Renovation of a Maternity Ward at Kiptulwa Dispensary

Title	Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Project for the Renovation of a Maternity Ward at Kiptulwa Dispensary
Date	24th April 2015
Location	Kiptulwa, Mutarakwa, Sotik Sub-County, Bomet County
Project title	The Project for the Renovation of a Maternity Ward at Kiptulwa Dispensary
Amount	US$86,923 (Approx. Kshs 7.9 million)
Attendance	Yuki Yamana - Representative of Embassy of Japan to the Republic of Kenya Masaru Kajimoto - Second Secretary of Embassy of Japan to the Republic of Kenya H.E. Isaac Ruto – Governor of Bomet County H.E. Stephen Mutai – Deputy Governor of Bomet County Mr. Elmi Shafi - Deputy County Commissioner (to represent Member of National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Joyce Laboso) Dr. Stanley Kiplangat - Chief Executive Committee for Health, Bomet County Mr. Henry Rop – Sotik Sub-County Administrator Ms. Emmy Suiyon – Administrator for Health, Sotik Sub County Officials from Local Government The management and staff of Kiptulwa Dispensary The community members of Kiptulwa Total of about 300 participants
Main activity	The Ground Breaking Ceremony of the “Project for the Renovation of a Maternity Ward at Kiptulwa Dispensary” was held in Sotik, Bomet County and witnessed by among others, officials from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya. The Grant Contract for this project availed funds to be used in renovating the maternity ward and to purchase medical equipment to improve the environment for mothers to deliver a baby. Kiptulwa Dispensary was established in 1994, by the community as a self-help group. This dispensary has been serving many people who are in severe situations including those who unfortunately face financial difficulties in the community. The maternity ward is currently in use, but it does not offer full services due to the lack of space and medical equipment. Therefore, many people deliver babies at home, which can lead to dangerous health complications. In 2012, the organization has begun to renovate the maternity ward using the fund from CDF, but due to the lack of adequate funds, the organization decided to apply for the GGP Project for the Embassy of Japan. Before the ceremony begun, the organization hosts took the main guests on a brief tour to explain about their project. At the ceremony, a JICA volunteer, Ms. Yui Hamaoka who is working as a health nurse in Bomet gave a speech about her activities and explained the importance of health and sanitation. Later, Mr. Yamana, Representative of the Embassy in Kenya, in his speech referred to the health policy of the Kenyan Government, UHC (Universal Health Coverage), which aims to ensure that all people obtain the health services they require without suffering financial hardship when paying for them. He mentioned that Japan provide about 2.9 billion KES to UHC through YEN loan. H.E. Ruto, Governor of Bomet, thanked Japan for the support and promised that Bomet County will afford to purchase an amount of 2 million Kshs for medical equipments to Kiptulwa Dispensary. He added that the county will continue to put their efforts to improve the medical services within the county. On the 30th April, Governor Ruto and officials from Bomet County paid a courtesy call to the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi. They held a meeting with Ambassador, Tatsushi Terada. Governor Ruto explained the challenges that Bomet County was facing and proposed that Bomet County and Japan should strengthen their cooperation in various fields.

Photographs

Speech by Ms. Yui Hamaoka, JICA volunteer

Speech by Dr. Kiplangat, Chief executive Committee for Health (Bomet County)

Speech by H.E. Stephen Mutai, Deputy Governor of Bomet County

Speech by Mr. Yuki Yamana, Representative of Embassy of Japan to the

Speech by H.E. Isaac Ruto, Governor of Bomet County

Officials from Bomet County visiting the Ambassador

H.E. Isaac Ruto and H.E. Tatsushi Terada