UNICEF-UK Delegation which has been in the County for the last two days, visited the Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH) and outreach in Nakaliban in Kang’atotha Ward, to assess the impact of the ongoing projects on the beneficiaries.

At Nakaliban Dispensary, the delegation visited the integrated outreach supported by World Vision Kenya; funded by Unicef.

The LCRH and some of the outreaches within the County are supported by UNICEF.

During the visit, the team, accompanied by the Unicef Kenya Lodwar Zonal Officer, engaged with healthcare professionals and patients to gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare systems, while identifying areas for enhancement.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation, Dr Francis Mariao, highlighted the significance of Unicef’s contribution to support of the neonatal health sector in the County.

“The initiatives by Unicef have significantly improved the quality of healthcare services, and positively impacted the health outcomes of the community,” he affirmed.

CECM further added that the County Government recognized the critical role of integrated outreach interventions in addressing the gaps in the healthcare service provision.

He stated the visit provided an excellent opportunity for them to showcase the progress made in the neonatal health sector, and that they looked forward to strengthening the partnership for the betterment of the Turkana community,” Dr Mariao said.

The County Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr Gilchrist Lokoel, emphasized the need to build the capacity of the healthcare workers and strengthen the health system, to ensure sustainability and continued improvement.

“The importance of building local capacity and empowering healthcare professionals leads to effective and efficient quality healthcare services to the community,” Dr Lokoel said.

The delegation also interacted with community leaders and residents, gathering valuable insights into the impact of Unicef’s projects particularly in the context of maternal and child health.

At the same time, the visiting delegation toured the maternal wing, operating theatre, stabilization center, and pediatric and occupational therapy Departments in LCRH.

In his closing remarks, CECM Mariao assured the UNICEF-UK delegation of the County Government’s unwavering support to providing comprehensive and effective healthcare services to all residents, especially the most vulnerable populations in Turkana.