Lodwar – 9th June 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The outgoing Chief Officer of Medical Services Dr Ezekiel Etelej, has today handed over to the incoming Chief Officer Dr Gilchrest Lokoel as he moves to Livestock Development.

Presiding over the handover, Deputy County Secretary Joseph Nyanga mentioned that reshuffles within the County Government serve to enhance service delivery, “It is a process we have to embrace to fast-track service delivery”.

The Deputy County Secretary encouraged a collaborative team effort stating that the Chief Officer need the support of directors who are technical officers, and likewise for directors towards achieving the fourth agenda of the Governor- Health Services and Sanitation.

The Chief Officer of Preventive and Promotive Health services Janerose Tioko appreciated the support received from the outgoing CO as she welcomed the incoming CCO assuring him of full support and a collaborative working environment.

Highlighting the progress and achievements attained during his nine-month tenure, Dr Etelej appreciated the medical services team for enabling him to perform, sharing that his successor who is also his predecessor is best placed to continue.

According to the outgoing CCO, together with the team he was able to make several achievements including; solarization of the medical services block, first-ever Caesarean Section surgeries at Lokichar and Lokitaung hospitals, registration of Lokichar and Kapedo Sub-County hospitals which can now offer SHA services among others.

“I trust my successor to continue to effect positive change especially in actualizing pending projects such as the deployment of recently recruited nurses, transition of health facilities in Kakuma and Kalobeyei settlements, and activating a master plan for health facilities,” said CCO Etelej.

Dr Lokoel expressed enthusiasm for the progress achieved by his predecessor saying, “I am particularly happy with the strides made by Dr Etelej particularly the CS surgeries done in the sub-county hospitals. There must be a paradigm shift to put the patients at the center,”

Dr Lokoel said he looks forward to working with his counterpart in the Preventive and promotive Health towards delivering quality services.

In his closing remarks, DCS Nyanga said that each person plays a pivotal role in ensuring the department achieves its intended purpose, “Let us walk the talk and focus on service delivery,” he said.

The handover was attended by several directors and deputy directors from Medical Services and Preventive and Promotive directorates.