Lodwar- March 24, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government has partnered with Savannah Global Health Institute (SGHI) to conduct a rapid diagnostic assessment of the current Primary Health Care (PHC) system, aimed at improving data quality, efficiency, and overall health system performance.
The assessment focuses on key areas including health financing, governance, quality of care, performance, and digital readiness. This strategic initiative is part of the Building Resilient and Responsive Health Systems (BREHS) framework, which aims to improve service delivery, quality of care, and digital readiness.
The team paid a courtesy call to the Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel, led by Dr. Maureen Maloba, Project Manager at SGHI, where the status of the PHC rapid diagnostic was discussed. This was followed by in-depth key informant interviews with a multi-faceted County Health Management Team.
They later visited the Kanamkemer Sub-County Hospital and Kalokol Health Centre to assess the status of primary health care services.
Findings from the assessment are expected to inform key health system improvements across the county.
The Chief Officer stated that this project comes at a critical time, emphasizing that CHMT should work towards ensuring that health facilities are capable of presenting crucial data to reduce maternal mortality.
“Our focus is to build a resilient system that supports progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), increasing the use of high-quality primary healthcare services that can respond effectively to emerging health challenges, while maintaining essential services,” he stated.
He also added that PHC networks should improve access and quality of care, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
According to Dr. Kidalio James, Director for Medical Services, Turkana is the largest county in Kenya and faces complex health and infrastructural challenges. With a growing influx of refugees, the health system continues to experience significant strain.
“Turkana is vast enough to host countries such as Rwanda, Gambia, and Lesotho combined. At the same time, it remains among the poorest counties, with high levels of illiteracy and a growing refugee population of over 350,000, with approximately 400 new arrivals daily due to porous borders,” he stated.
He noted that this continues to strain an already fragile health system, as many refugees rely on existing county services.
In addition, SGHI, through the Council of Governors (CoG), is collaborating with 10 counties to design a structured peer learning approach aligned with the World Bank’s BREHS program and the PHC Trust Fund.
Dr. Maloba shared that the scope will take a national perspective but tailor the design to fit the county’s needs and challenges.
“After this meeting, the CoG will convene a meeting with the 10 counties’ leadership and we will co-create the tools for each county,” she guided.
She also added that the assessment would provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen health financing mechanisms, improve governance structures, and streamline supply chain systems.
The other targeted counties include Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Narok, Homa Bay, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, and West Pokot.
Present in the meeting included Paul Logilae (Deputy Director, Health Products and Technologies), Sarah Esinyen (Deputy Director, Partnerships, Monitoring & Evaluation), Javan Inda (County Pharmacist), Peter Ekope (County PHC Network Coordinator), Eliud Eyangan (Chief ICT Officer at Health), Julius Ekal (Economist at Health), and Facility In-Charges, pharmacists and health records leads at the two facilities visited.
