Lokiriama- August 19, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Border communities in Turkana are stepping up disease surveillance and prevention through the One Health initiative that unites human, animal, and environmental health services.

In a joint effort led by the County Government and International Rescue Committee (IRC), health teams have been conducting support supervision along the borders. The latest joint supportive took place in Lokiriama Sub-County to build the capacity of community health promoters (CHPs), community disease reporters (CDRs), and health facilities staff.

This recent joint support initiative targets border sub-counties including Lokiriama, Lokichogio, Turkana West, Turkana North, and Kibish—areas critical for monitoring zoonotic and vaccine-preventable diseases due to frequent cross-border movements with Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Health facilities such as Lorengipi, Loya, Lochor Alomala, Lochor Edome, Lokiriama, and Urum were part of the latest mission.

Abdi Jamal, Project Manager at Core Group Partners, said community reporting has already revealed cases of rabies, brucellosis, and under-immunized children in hard-to-reach areas.

“Our collaboration with CHPs and CDRs allows us to detect cases early. With timely reporting, facilities like Urum can use their available vaccines effectively and prevent outbreaks,” he stated.

Jamal also emphasized that the stakeholder engagement is critical to bring everyone together in this fight.

Officials emphasized that communities living along the borders face unique health risks. Nomadic populations rely heavily on livestock, but face limited health facilities while on the move, and lack of knowledge leads to their misuse of antibiotics, including administering human drugs to animals.

This practice, experts warned, contributes to wastage and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). “We must strengthen awareness, regulate over-the-counter sales, and build pastoralists’ knowledge on proper drug use,” said Daniel Esimit, Public Health Specialist.

Community health actors are at the heart of the strategy. In Urum, nurse-in-charge Justus Ariton highlighted how CHPs link communities to facilities by promptly reporting cases for treatment.

On the other hand, a local CHP and CDR Teresia Eyanae stressed the need for regular training to build their capacity in drug issuance as well as reliable medical supplies to keep up with demand.

“Outreach programs have already improved immunization coverage, reduced defaulter rates, and traced children in hard-to-reach nomadic communities,” she emphasized.

Dr Erenius Nakadio, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, explained that the mentorship they do targets CHPs and CDRs to strengthen their capacity in handling zoonotic and vaccine-preventable diseases.

“By building community structures, we can intervene earlier, save lives, and protect livelihoods,” he added.

Dr Erick Ontita, Loima Sub-County Veterinary Officer, added they give priority to diseases such as measles and polio. “Our goal is to ensure community healthcare workers have the knowledge and confidence to report emerging cases on time,”

Ivy Kaman, Sub-County Public Health Nurse for Lokiriama, said they have so far held six targeted outreaches, “We have been able to reach defaulters, improve immunization coverage, and ensure more children are protected against preventable diseases,”

Stakeholders agreed that the One Health approach works best through collaboration. It has encouraged communities to adopt health-seeking behaviors, strengthen facility-community linkages, and improve disease surveillance. Partners like Core Group and CDPP are also supporting mobilization to sustain these gains.

The experts issued a strong call to action to both community and stakeholders that would strengthen the One Health Interventions and further positive health outcomes using a holistic approach.

Dr Nakadio called for joint collaboration, resource mobilization, and coordinated action so that border communities can face these complex health challenges together.

Esimit emphasized that introducing antimicrobial resistance control into our One Health programming is urgent, “We must regulate antibiotic access and expand veterinary and laboratory services for pastoralist communities,”

Abdi Jamal added that the commitment of CHPs and CDRs is commendable. He, however, emphasized that, ”We need more stakeholders on board to scale up training, provide vaccines, and strengthen surveillance,”

The Lokiriama Sub-County team has reported clear gains from the One Health approach. Aaron Lowoi, the CDPP Community Mobilizer, noted that continuous community mobilization has made residents more receptive and proactive.

Ariton highlighted reduced defaulter rates as CHPs trace pastoralist movements to keep children immunized. Jamal said early detection now allows accurate case analysis and joint response.

As the program expands, the joint team reaffirmed their goal: by tackling antibiotic misuse, addressing AMR, and scaling up training, Turkana’s border communities can achieve holistic health outcomes for people, livestock, and the environment.