Luxury boutique hotel group Hemingways Collection has partnered with the Maa Trust to establish a groundbreaking maternity facility in Maasai Mara.
This facility will include an operating theatre for caesarean sections, a neonatal high-dependency unit, and a maternity shelter designed to support high-risk expectant and postpartum mothers, including adolescents.
The initiative follows a successful fundraising campaign led by The Maa Trust, which garnered support from various partners including Hemingways Collection, M-Pesa Foundation, Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation, and others.
The construction of the maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) facility at CHP Talek Health Centre was completed last year and began operations this year.
Ross Evans, CEO of Hemingways Collection, expressed the group’s commitment by pledging bed night donations from both Hemingways Nairobi and Hemingways Ol Seki to sustain the MNCH operations.
“We have contributed KES 1.9 million ($14,500) so far and encourage our guests to visit Maa Trust Headquarters to learn about their impactful community and conservation efforts,” said Mr. Evans.
The funding supports ongoing medical care including doctor salaries, anaesthetists, and nurses, ensuring high-quality healthcare for mothers and babies.
The facility, crucial for high-risk pregnancies, aims to achieve financial sustainability within two years.
Dr. Crystal Mogensen, CEO of The Maa Trust, emphasized the facility’s personal significance, recalling her own challenging pregnancies in Maasai Mara.
“This MNCH centre is my passion project,” she noted, highlighting the collaborative effort that made the KES 66 million ($500,000) infrastructure project possible.
Integrated with the Daktari Smart telemedicine program, the centre offers specialist consultations remotely from Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, reducing the need for patient travel to Nairobi.
Additionally, visitors can purchase ‘Mama Kits’ at Hemingways Ol Seki’s gift shop, providing essential items for new mothers and encouraging safe clinic-based deliveries.
The establishment of this facility marks a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare access and maternal support in Maasai Mara, reflecting a united effort across camps, companies, and non-profits toward community health and conservation.
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