Lodwar – March 18, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government, in partnership with Signs Media and KICTANET has officially rolled out the assistALL mobile application, marking a significant step towards enhancing inclusive and accessible healthcare services for persons with hearing impairment across the county.
The assistALL application is designed to bridge communication barriers between healthcare providers and persons with hearing disabilities by offering real-time sign language interpretation support. The innovation is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare services for the deaf community in both host and refugee populations.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Kidalio James, Director for Medical Services, reaffirmed the County’s commitment to equitable healthcare access for all, noting that healthcare is a fundamental human right.
He emphasized that, in line with the Disability Act of 2025, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are entitled to free primary healthcare services across all levels of care, from community units to referral hospitals.
“There should be no discrimination in service delivery. Persons with Disabilities are entitled to the same services as the general population, including diagnostics, consultations, referrals, and emergency care,” he said.
Dr. Kidalio further highlighted that the County Government has put in place measures to promote inclusion, including training healthcare workers on disability rights, establishing a wellness centre at the county referral hospital to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and appointing disability inclusion focal persons to strengthen accountability.
He also noted the unique context of Turkana, which hosts the Kakuma Refugee Camp with over 350,000 people from diverse nationalities, hence the need for inclusive communication systems to serve both host and refugee communities effectively.
The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) County Coordinator, Benson Ebei, welcomed the launch of the application, terming it a game-changer for persons with hearing impairment seeking healthcare services.
“Previously, persons with hearing impairment faced significant challenges due to the lack of sign language interpreters in health facilities. With the assistALL application, they can now access services without difficulty,” he said.
He added that healthcare workers across the county have already been trained on how to use the application, equipping them with the necessary skills to effectively attend to deaf patients.
Ebei encouraged persons with hearing impairment to confidently seek medical care at health facilities, assuring them of improved communication and service delivery through the new technology.
The Signs Media Founder and Managing Director, Luke Muleka, lauded the partnership with the County Government, noting that the initiative is part of a broader effort to mainstream disability inclusion in healthcare.
“We have trained over 60 healthcare workers across Turkana who are now onboarded onto the assistALL application and can support the deaf community across all sub-county hospitals,” he said.
He added that similar initiatives have been implemented in other counties, including Busia, Mandera, and Nairobi, with plans underway to expand to Garissa County.
Muleka further acknowledged support from the British High Commission under the Digital Access Programme, which has enabled digital literacy training and strengthened inclusion for persons with disabilities.
This App, supported by British High Commission and ICT Authority, is expected to be a turning point in the delivery of healthcare services in Turkana, ensuring that no one is left behind, in line with the principles of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the constitutional right to non-discriminatory access to healthcare.
