Lodwar- June 16, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in regions with high disease burden and limited healthcare infrastructure such as Turkana.

To assess the status of health in Turkana, the Department for Health and Sanitation hosted a team from the National TB Program in the Ministry for Health. This meeting was prior to a site assessment exercise to evaluate the suitability, readiness, and capacity of Lodwar County Referral Hospital to serve as Regional Centers of Excellence (rCOEs).

This is part of a larger plan by the National TB Program to establish rCOEs for TB, Chronic Lung Health, and Leprosy with an aim to strengthen the health system’s capacity and improve outcomes for the patients.

These rCOEs are meant to serve as hubs for advanced clinical care, research, and training toward improving the diagnosis, treatment, and management. This assessment is scheduled to take place in 11 counties including Turkana between 16 and 20 June 2025.

Chief Tioko mentioned that the regional center will play a crucial role in the management of TB cases.

“This will greatly improve prevention and treatment since Turkana is among the high-burdened counties with TB.”

According to the National Lung Health Coordinator, Dr Ibrae Umuro having a center in Tukana will be beneficial to the residents given the vastness.

“The impact will be seen in the management of complex TB cases locally and improved quality of care for TB patients and other chronic lung diseases patients. It is also a perfect opportunity for capacity building healthcare workers and conducting operational research for TB and lung health,” he explained.

Dr Job Okemwa, the County’s TB, Leprosy, and Lung Diseases Coordinator believes having a center in Turkana will be a game changer.

“Turkana County is the sixth county in Kenya with the highest burden of TB and lung-related diseases. This will not only bring services closer to the people but will also provide an opportunity for research and development,” he stated.

Some of the interventions conducted include drug resistant TB survey, training of healthcare workers with the center enhancing increased diagnostic kits such as gene experts and conducting TB outreach programs through support from collaboration with other partners.