Health Facilities in Meru County.

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Meru County is located in the Eastern region of Kenya. In the 2022-2027 government, George Gikunda Mungania is serving as the Health Minister for Meru county. (This is as of November 2022). In the 2017-2022 government, Misheck Mutuma M’Muyuri held this position. Health Ministers are also known as ‘CEC Member for Health’ or CEC Representative for Health.

CEC stands for County Executive Committee. The committees’ chief executive is the county governor while the deputy chief executive is the deputy county governor. In addition to the health representative, the committee has other representatives (approximately ten in total). They represent other devolved functions listed here. Depending on the county, devolved roles are combined differently.

Meru County has 10 Sub-Counties:

In summary, Meru County has 601 health facilities spread across the 10 sub-counties. 10.1% of these are faith-based facilities (61) while 33.1% belong to the ministry of health (199). This leaves 1.2% under NGO’s (7) and 55.6% listed as private facilities (334). Kenya has a total of 14,251 health facilities. This translates to Meru County having 5.12% of the country’s Total Facilities.

Let us look at the numbers in each sub-county.

In Buuri sub-county, there are 73 health facilities. This makes up 12% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.51% of the total number in the country.

Buuri houses the following 5 Wards: Timau, Kisima, Kiirua (Naari), Ruiri (Rwarera) & Kibirichia.

In Igembe Central county, there are 40 health facilities. This makes up 7% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.28% of the total number in the country.

Igembe Central houses the following 5 Wards: Akirang’ondu, Athiru Ruujine, Igembe East, Njia & Kangeta.

In Igembe North sub-county, there are 30 health facilities. This makes up 5% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.21% of the total number in the country.

Igembe North houses the following 5 Wards: Antuambui, Ntunene, Antubetwe Kiongo, Naatu & Amwathi.

In Igembe South sub-county, there are 58 health facilities. This makes up 10% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.41% of the total number in the country.

Igembe South houses the following 5 Wards: Maua, Kiegoi (Antubochiu), Athiru Gaiti, Akachiu & Kanuni.

In Imenti Central sub-county, there are 49 health facilities. This makes up 8% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.34% of the total number in the country.

Imenti Central houses the following 4 Wards: Mwanganthia, Abothuguchi Central, Abothuguchi West & Kiagu.

In Imenti North sub-county, there are 170 health facilities. This makes up 28% of the health facilities in Meru County and 1.19% of the total number in the country.

Imenti North houses the following 5 Wards: Municipality, Ntima East, Ntima West, Nyaki West & Nyaki East.

In Imenti South sub-county, there are 86 health facilities. This makes up 14% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.60% of the total number in the country.

Imenti South houses the following 6 Wards: Mitunguu, Igoji East, Igoji West, Abogeta East, Abogeta West & Nkuene.

In Tigania Central sub-county, there are 25 health facilities. This makes up 4% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.18% of the total number in the country.

Tigania Central houses the following 5 Wards: Karai, Nachu, Sigona, Kikuyu & Kinoo.

In Tigania East sub-county, there are 24 health facilities. This makes up 4% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.17% of the total number in the country.

Tigania East houses the following 5 Wards: Thangatha, Mikinduri, Kiguchwa, Muthara & Karama.

In Tigania West sub-county, there are 46 health facilities. This makes up 8% of the health facilities in Meru County and 0.32% of the total number in the country.

Tigania West houses the following 5 Wards: Athwana, Akithii, Kianjai, Nkomo & Mbeu.

In conclusion,

• There are a total of 45 wards in the 10 sub counties of Meru County. Imenti South has the highest (6) number of wards while Imenti Central has the lowest (4).
• Imenti North has the highest number (170) of health facilities (28% of Meru County & 1.19% of Kenya).
• Imenti South has the highest number of Faith-Based Health Facilities. (Total of 14 out of 61)
• Imenti South has the highest number of Ministry of Health Facilities (Public). (Total of 35 each out of 199)
• Imenti North has the highest number of NGO Health Facilities. (Total of 5 out of 7)
• Imenti North has the highest number of Private Health Facilities. (Total of 135 out of 334)

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