Rockefeller President Dr Judith Seitz Rodin told the First Lady during a courtesy call at State House on Thursday that the foundation would work closely with the Beyond Zero team/PSCU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 9 — Rockefeller Foundation has pledged to collaborate with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta in the construction of the proposed Sh2.2 billion Beyond Zero referral Hospital.
Rockefeller President Dr Judith Seitz Rodin told the First Lady during a courtesy call at State House on Thursday that the foundation would work closely with the Beyond Zero team towards the implementation of the project to ensure its success as a three-legged model institution for training, research and care.
“We shall be happy to be helpful in that work. We shall collaborate with you in this project,” said Dr Rodin.
The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the world’s leading philanthropic organisations whose core mission is to improve the wellbeing of humanity around the world.
The New York City based foundation which was founded by John Davidson Rockefeller in 1913 mainly concerns itself with health, agriculture and Information Communication Technology initiatives across the world.
Once the hospital is up, said Dr Rodin, the foundation will facilitate the introduction of innovative surgery from a pool of specialised doctors who work closely with the organisation.
She however said the Foundation’s team in Kenya would work on the finer details of the collaboration with the Beyond Zero team.
The Foundation’s team in Kenya that accompanied her to State House included African Regional Office Managing Director Mamadou Biteye, Senior Associate Director Mwihaki Kimura and Associate Director Betty Kibaara.
Dr Rodin, previously the President of the University of Pennsylvania and the Provost of Yale University singled out the First Lady for praise over the Beyond Zero initiative and demonstrating to the world what is possible and achievable through commitment and determination.
She described the Beyond Zero drive as an, “exceptionally brave, amazing and focused,” initiative with evidenced outcomes.
“We congratulate you for the amazing work of the Beyond Zero. We really admire you for showing the world what is possible,” Dr Rodin told the First Lady.
The First Lady said she was excited about handing over the last Mobile Clinic to Nairobi County on Friday; the culmination of a 33-month journey of planning and delivering 47 mobile clinics to all the counties.
The 100-150 bed capacity hospital is designed in such a way to allow for its expansion upwards and outwards in a 10-acre plot.
Its different departments include a wellness centre for mental illnesses, psychotherapy and the treatment of fistula, and gender based violence.
It also has departments for Critical care for neo-nates, a High-Tech Laboratory, theatres, wards and outpatient facilities.
Others at the function included Health Principal Secretary Dr. Nicholas Muraguri.
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