Posted on :Thursday , 9th October 2014

Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga yesterday said they will sign an MoU with the University of Tennessee, which is one of the world's leading institutions in medical, healthcare training and medical research.

"The institution will facilitate the upgrading of the facility to a world class healthcare institution and a centre of excellence in the provision of healthcare," Rasanga said.

He was accompanied by Deputy Governor Ouma Onyango and Chief of Staff Kevin Omamo when briefing journalists at the Royal City Hotel in Kisumu after arriving from the US.

Rasanga had led the delegation from Siaya to seek investments and partnerships for trade and development in the county.

"The upgrade of the Siaya District Hospital will be done jointly with other international funding agencies with whom structured negotiations are ongoing. Details will be released once we finalise modalities with Siaya executives and the legislature," the governor said.

Rasanga said the upgrade will transform the facility to a national and regional model where malaria, infant mortality and HIV-Aids will be addressed.

He said the University of Tennessee with the international donor agencies are scheduled to visit Siaya before April next year to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the healthcare system. It will also conduct feasibility study on setting up a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in the county.

"The pharmaceutical manufacturing plant will provide affordable medicine, create employment and transform the economy of Siaya," Rasanga said.

He announced that they have also received commitments from the President of the US-China Friendship Association based at Washington DC and Corporate and Governmental affairs USA based in Orlando Florida to donate medical equipment and medicine worth Sh18 million to Siaya.