In a major step toward expanding healthcare access and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko yesterday presided over groundbreaking ceremonies for Bugumbe and Nyamaraga Level IV Hospitals.

The establishment is courtesy of a glowing partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Migori County Government.

Bugumbe Level IV Hospital will be constructed at an estimated cost of Sh65 million, while the new inpatient wing at Nyamaraga Level IV Hospital is backed by an initial Sh50 million allocation, with plans to scale facilities and equipment to meet national standards.

Both projects align with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which aims to strengthen primary healthcare, upgrade infrastructure, and bring specialized medical treatment directly to rural populations.

SHA registration

Addressing residents in Suna West, Dr Oluga emphasized that modern medical facilities must be paired with robust financial protection for families.

He urged all eligible residents, particularly young adults and local farmers, to acquire National Identity Cards and register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).

“No Kenyan should suffer financial ruin or be forced to sell their land, farm, cows, or chicken while seeking healthcare,” Dr Oluga stated.

He went on, “Registering with the Social Health Authority is the fastest path to economic protection, ensuring that primary care, maternal health, emergency services, and hospital stays are fully covered.”

The PS highlighted the need for increased local participation, noting that while counties such as Mombasa, Kirinyaga, and Nyeri have achieved SHA registration rates between 68 percent and 82 percent, Migori currently trails at approximately 51 percent.

Dr Oluga called on local leaders and community members to bridge this gap so the county can fully capitalize on national health fund allocations.

These resources include Sh23 billion dedicated to primary and maternal healthcare alongside Sh8 billion set aside for a national ambulance dispatch system.

The developments in Bugumbe and Nyamaraga are part of a broader national initiative to overhaul health infrastructure across Migori County.

Additional planned investments include Sh300 million earmarked for facilities in Kehancha, alongside early-stage planning for a regional facility estimated at Sh1 billion.

Dr Oluga commended Governor Ayacko for fostering a strong partnership with the national government.

He noted that increased local revenue retention, enabled by the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF), will allow facilities across the county to maintain steady supplies of essential medicines and commodities.

Drawing on the biblical symbolism of a luth (a staff of authority), Dr Oluga concluded that holding an ID card and registering for SHA serves as a vital tool, empowering citizens to claim their healthcare rights while safeguarding their household economies.