Pumwani Hospital expands neonatal care with human milk bank

According to Chief Executive Officer Christine Kiteshuo, the deployment of medical officers, nurses, and consultants has improved the practitioner-to-patient ratio, enabling round-the-clock supervision. She said this oversight has enhanced the hospital’s ability to respond to emergencies and provide consistent care.

The hospital has also renovated its Maternal and Child Health (MCH) unit and upgraded theatres and labour wards with new equipment.

“The acquisition of modern equipment for both the theatre and labour ward, coupled with the renovation of the MCH unit, has transformed Pumwani into a safer, more patient-friendly facility,” Kiteshuo noted.

The Human Milk Bank, established in 2019, has provided donated breast milk to 1,887 newborns as of August 31, 2025. It supports premature and sick infants unable to breastfeed and has also extended its services to facilities such as Mbagathi County Referral Hospital and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. Since inception, 2,598 mothers have donated to the bank.

“The Human Milk Bank has become a lifeline for premature and sick infants who cannot breastfeed. Every drop donated gives them a fighting chance at life,” Kiteshuo said.

Pumwani delivers nearly 15,000 babies annually. County health reforms under Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration have emphasized hospital-level leadership, which officials say has helped restore public confidence, reduce maternal deaths, and improve neonatal outcomes.