Kalobeyei – 13th December 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The County Government, in collaboration with Save the Children International, has conducted an assessment of Mpox preparedness and response plan as Kenya continues to record cases.
The country has confirmed 26 cases, with the latest three reported in Nakuru and Turkana counties are considered as high risk due to a number of factors.
In a briefing before the activity, the Deputy Director of Public Health, Daniel Esimit, highlighted that the health department had already developed a response plan, awaiting implementation.
“Although the coordination team will require capacity building for better outcomes in case the county reports a case,” he said.
Dr Roberts Abok, the Head of Health, Nutrition and WASH at Save the Children International, emphasized that Turkana should be on high alert due to its proximity to the Ugandan border, the A1 highway, its large refugee population, and its trade connections with people from the Democratic Republic of Congo along Lake Turkana.
He appreciated that community engagement and surveillance efforts were ongoing but advised on strengthening coordination, engaging partners, and supporting the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) with information.
In two community dialogues held in Kalobeyei Village 2 and Village 12, over 300 attendees were educated on Mpox signs and symptoms alongside other health messages. Being refugees from different nationalities, CHPs translated the information into various languages.
While speaking to the community, Turkana West Sub-county Medical Officer of Health, Joel Lochor, stressed the importance of good hygiene practices and sanitation. He also commended the community for their positive health-seeking behaviour and urged them to remain vigilant regarding Mpox.
Holding customised Information, Education and Communication aid, Nakang Helen Peter, a CHP from Village 2, shared that she received training on Mpox in October.
“Since the training, I have integrated Mpox awareness into my health talks with the community, including topics such as antenatal care and immunization,” she said.
