Lodwar – December 4, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

In a courtesy call to the Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, Agnes Mana, a delegation from UNICEF, Save the Children, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) reviewed the implementation of two ongoing research studies aimed at reducing childhood illness and malnutrition in the region. The meeting highlighted the promising progress Turkana County is making in strengthening child health and nutrition systems.

The teams assessed the two UNICEF-funded studies: the R-SWITCH research project implemented by IRC, and the Operational Research Pilot integrating treatment of acute malnutrition within Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM), led by Save the Children and KEMRI.

The iCCM-CMAM study is an 18-month initiative running from November 2024 to April 2026, designed to demonstrate how integrated community models can strengthen early treatment and reduce under-five mortality in Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASAL) counties. The R-SWITCH initiative introduced digital tools (digitized MUAC screening, two-way messaging platform, and baby-mother scales) to improve early detection of malnourished children at the household level.

Chief Officer Mana noted that Turkana has made significant gains in reducing GAM rates, despite ongoing food security challenges and declining funding. “These studies are already yielding important lessons,” she said.

Director for Nutrition and Dietetics, Nana Saada, echoed her remarks, adding that digitized Family-Led MUAC improves Community Health Promoters’ ability to provide personalized, collaborative care. She noted that the R-SWITCH study is supporting this effort by unifying community screening tools, strengthening referral systems, and building CHP capacity.

UNICEF Nutrition Specialist (Lodwar Zonal Office) and team lead, Francis Kindake, provided an oversight of the two research projects.

Earlier this year, the County Government and UNICEF concluded the main research phase of R-SWITCH, conducted with Kenyatta University and county health teams. To support broader capacity-building, the county government, together with UNICEF and Save the Children, recently completed sensitization training for Trainers of Trainers (ToTs), sub-county health management teams, and CHPs on integrating iCCM with CMAM in Loima, Lokiriama, Turkana Central, and Kibish sub-counties.

Director of Medical Services, Dr Ekiru Kidalio, reminded partners that nutrition remains a critical challenge in Turkana, with 46% of the population being children. “Turkana has the highest poverty index, with 82% living below the poverty line. Health is a fundamental human right and it is our duty to protect the health of our population,” he said.

Following the courtesy meeting, teams from UNICEF, Save the Children, and the Turkana Christian Development Mission (TCDM) visited Kodopa Dispensary and Kanamkemer Sub-County Hospital to review progress in CMAM-IMAM implementation.

At Kodopa Dispensary, Nurse-in-Charge Nancy Ngirotin reported improvements in early detection and stronger referral systems through the enhanced iCCM-CMAM approach.

CHP Peter Egule noted increased confidence in managing childhood illnesses at household level, contributing to more timely treatment. Another CHP, John Kolang, shared that he has seen severely malnourished children recover and return to normal play outcomes he described as very motivating.

One such case is that of Lopuka Eiton’s child, Reuben, who is now nearly three years old. He joined the program at 29 months in October 2025 with severe malnutrition. With consistent guidance from his CHP and nurse, Reuben fully recovered in just five visits and is now strong and healthy.

Chief Officer Agnes Mana commended partners for their continued collaboration, noting that the research and recent trainings represent significant progress in improving child survival outcomes.

“We are committed to adopting and sustaining the lessons generated through these pilots. We will also safeguard the commodities we receive through these programs to sustain impact,” she affirmed.

In attendance were Rebecca Alimlim, Director Administration; UNICEF team including Benson Musau, Nutrition Officer (Lodwar Zonal Office), Francis Wambua, Nutrition Specialist, and Judith Raburu, Health Officer (Kenya Country Office); Save the Children’s Program Manager, Shariff Abdalla and Health and Nutrition Officer, Assumpta Kiriongi (Turkana); and Noellyne Otho, Nutrition Manager at IRC.