Lokichar, March 8, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

County Health Management Team have identified priority activities to operationalise the Danida Transcend Project which aims to improve family health for the host community and refugees in Turkana West Sub- County.

The three-year project, being implemented by AMREF Health Africa in Kenya, will focus on Reproductive Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) through cost-effective primary care models as it aims at transitioning to the county for sustainability.

County Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr Gilchrist Lokoel, pointed out the existing inequality faced by the host community in Turkana West when it came to any project implementation.

“This meeting signifies a collaborative effort between the county health department and Amref to serve the host community as the project does not discriminate,” he said.

He further highlighted that the project’s focus on enhancing access to quality healthcare through capacity building was a positive step forward. He suggested to the participants to identify activities that would address the county’s high maternal mortality ratio and perinatal mortality rate stands at 381 per 1000 which was above the national average of 355 per 1000.

According to CCO for Preventive and Promotive, Peter Lomorukai, the project was appreciated as it would lead to quality healthcare services to both the host community and refugees.

“As the health department and Amref collaborate on project implementation, let’s think outside the box when contextualizing strategies to address the gaps,” he said.

He urged the partner to work closely with senior county health officers during the project’s implementation and to develop a concrete transitional plan at the end of the project.

The Director for Medical Services, Dr Ekiru Kidalio, applauded the co-creation approach of the project and urged the prioritisation of the support supervision and data review.

Leading the AMREF Kenya team, Anne Gitimu – Director for Family and Reproduction Health provided an overview of the project’s primary healthcare approach particularly in the hard-to-reach areas. While Aloise Gikunda – Project Manager for Transcend Project, presented the previously co-created work plan.

The participants have selected activities centred on demand creation for health services, health system strengthening and improvement services at delivery points.