The facility in Lamu East is expected to reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to access specialised medical care, particularly in emergencies involving childbirth and other conditions requiring surgery.

Residents of Kiunga, a remote settlement along the Kenya–Somalia border, could soon access surgical and emergency obstetric services closer to home as construction of an operating theatre at Kiunga Health Centre nears completion.

However, the theatre will need to be equipped, staffed with qualified medical personnel and cleared for operation before it can begin receiving patients.