RUBEN MATERNITY TURNS ONE

June 21st will go down in the history books of Ruben Centre, and Mukuru Kwa Ruben at large. Ruben’s Health Centre, a recently acquired status after the facility’s upgrade to level 3B, hosted its maternity unit’s first birthday. In attendance were some notable names but the crème de la crème attendee was His Excellency Nairobi City Governor Mike ‘Sonko’ Mbuvi and area Parliamentarian Julius Mawathe. The duo arrived at around 11:30 after the Community Health Volunteers singing his name all morning. They headed to a private meeting at The Hidden Treasure room with the center’s senior administrators.
Relevant presentations on the state of Ruben Health Centre by its manager Zipporah Mwangi were done. The center’s Programs Manager thereafter gave an overview of the center in general. To conclude the exclusive meeting Br. Frank O’Shea gave a speech on the center’s progress and highlighted some challenges such as the idle 5 acre parcel of land bordering the center, understaffing for the health facility and the school & clogged drainage within and outside Ruben Center.
After the presentations by the center to the Governor and his team, a tour of the health center was conducted. Besides the tour, Governor Mike ‘Sonko’ Mbuvi officially commissioned Ruben Health Centre. The main celebrations were held at AEF Ruben Primary School grounds. Various performances by the school’s scouts & girl guides, the Ruben Orchestra, traditional dancers, gymnasts and the Community Health Volunteers not only entertained the crowds but also the ever smiling governor.
When it came to speeches, it was a “pleads and promises” picture. The governor promised to reclaim the 5 acre parcel of land and grand its title deed to Ruben Centre for development. He also pledged to:
• 30 million to the additional 20 million from the MP to construct Ruben Secondary School
• Build a state of the art theatre and expand the maternity unit to a 200 bed capacity.
• Construct an Intensive Care Unit
• Appoint 8 new nurses and 6 new clinical officers.
• Pay the Community Health Volunteers (120 in total) and try to employ them as permanent employees.
• Fully pay NHIF cover to over 8500 needy families.
• Cash prices and other pledges to the performers.
These among other promises were made and the response was cheers from the crowds. To summarize the day, the maternity had a birthday never to forget and so won’t the Mukuru community. We, Ruben Centre, believe the governor is indeed a man of his word and the promises will be fulfilled. We wish the Ruben Health Centre- Maternity Unit a happy first anniversary.