How Utange Level 4 Hospital Is Transforming Healthcare in Shanzu

Residents of Shanzu Ward have welcomed the transformation of healthcare services following the improvement of Utange Hospital into a Level 4 facility.

They say the facility has eased access to treatment, reduced the need to travel to distant hospitals and improved the delivery of maternity services. 

Residents have also credited the hospital with creating employment opportunities while calling for further investment in infrastructure, medical staff and support for vulnerable patients.

Mtawale Mwaki, a resident of Bamako Maweni, says mothers can now access maternity services at Utange Hospital and deliver safely. 

She says continued government support would help more vulnerable mothers access maternity services without financial difficulties.

Mwaki also hopes the hospital will receive additional beds and doctors to further improve maternity care.

"The government should continue increasing this support so that more vulnerable mothers can benefit. I also hope more beds and doctors will be added so that maternity services can continue improving," she said.

Mwaki recalls that the situation was different before the facility was improved, when Utange Dispensary did not provide delivery services and mothers had to be transferred to Makadara.

"This was a major challenge, and some women even gave birth at home because they could not access the service nearby," she added.

For Shanzu resident Samir Sharif, the Level 4 hospital has made healthcare more accessible and efficient. 

He says patients no longer have to travel as far to seek treatment and that queues have reduced due to adequate nursing staff and better distribution of duties.

“Health services have improved since residents got a Level 4 hospital closer to them. Treatment is now easier, queues have reduced, and patients are being served more efficiently because nurses are enough and duties are well shared," he stated.

Samir has thanked the national government for bringing the Level 4 hospital infrastructure closer to residents while also appreciating the hospital leadership for creating employment opportunities for people in the area.

He says residents previously travelled from Shanzu to Makadara Hospital, where a shortage of nurses meant patients faced congestion and delays. 

Samir wants further investment in Level 4 hospitals and employment opportunities to improve the environment in which citizens receive treatment.

Mohammed Juma Mwinyi, another Shanzu resident, says the proximity of Utange Level 4 Hospital has made it easier for residents to seek medical attention, particularly when they fall sick and need quick access to treatment.

"Residents are grateful to have Utange Level 4 Hospital closer to them. When I fall sick, I can now go to the hospital quickly and receive services faster," he said.

Mohammed hopes the government will extend the Level 4 hospital model to other neighbourhoods so that more residents can benefit from healthcare facilities located closer to their homes.

He says residents previously faced several challenges when seeking treatment, including transport costs, long queues and hospital charges.

"Before this, seeking treatment was difficult because residents had to travel to Makadara, spend a lot on fare, wait in long queues and still face high hospital charges before receiving services," he added.

Elsewhere, the government has announced the competition of Mama Rachel Ruto Specialist Hospital-Mutuini in Dagoretti South. 

In a statement on Monday, August 31, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the hospital has been transformed into a 400-bed Level 5 referral facility, up from its previous capacity of 40 beds. 

Omollo noted that the facility is currently being equipped with critical systems including dialysis units and CT scanners. 

According to the Interior PS, the completion of the hospital reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 

“A key example is the now-complete Mama Rachel Ruto Specialist Hospital–Mutuini in Dagoretti South, which has been transformed into a 400-bed Level 5 referral facility, up from 40 beds, and is currently undergoing equipping with critical systems including CT scanners, dialysis units and modern theatre equipment,” he said.

Omollo also said the facility aligns with the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) framework, which seeks to accelerate progress in reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

He mentioned that the facility is expected to ease pressure on major referral hospitals as it will offer specialized maternity and newborn services. 

“With specialized maternity and newborn services, intensive and high-dependency care, renal services, advanced diagnostics and neonatal support, including human milk banks, the facility will expand access to specialized care while helping ease pressure on major referral hospitals,” he added.