January 19, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Deputy Governor Dr John Erus has recognized the collaborative strategic partnership between the county government and health partners that has led to improved healthcare services at the community level.
The partnership, the deputy governor said, was well on its way to achieving the governor’s health agenda. He also called on the integration of national and county government health structures to deliver quality healthcare services to all county residents.
Speaking during the launch of the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) kits and tablets, Dr Erus described the CHPs as the engine in the provision of community health services.
“Healthcare stability being a priority agenda in our county, we are committed to ensuring alignment of CHPs tools of work rhyme with their workloads such as airtime for the tablets and monthly stipend,” said the deputy governor.
Turkana County received a total of 2,454 kits and 2,454 tablets to cover the 225 active community health units. The kits contain various items that will facilitate the CHPs to address minor ailments in the community. Additionally, the county also received 2,454 phones for distribution to CHPs across the County for digital reporting.
Turkana County Commissioner, Jacob Ouma, urged the CHPs to promote and encourage the utilisation of latrines in every household to reduce the spread of hygiene-related diseases.
He also commended the efforts of the national and county health officials and partners for advancing healthcare in Turkana County.
“County officials to be the watchdogs of development programs within the county. Tracking and assessing partner projects should be mandatory as it ensures satisfactory delivery of their commitments,” said the County Commissioner.
The County Chief Officer (CCO) for Preventive and Promotive, Peter Lomorukai, said that the launch of the kits marked the commencement of household registration to strengthen health services at the community level.
“The electronic community health information system-enabled tablets are set to shift healthcare programs from analog to digital, spearheading advanced community healthcare provision,” he said.
On the other hand, CCO Medical Services Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel urged the CHPs to sensitize the community to end harmful cultural health-related practices such as the extraction of milk teeth as it leads to life-threatening complications.
“This is a misdemeanor act that forsakes the implementation of quality healthcare standards,” he said.
As the chair of the Health Committee and current Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Songot Ward, Bethwel Kobongin said, “The committee is working tirelessly to ensure that the Sub-County hospitals and facilities have got enough doctors, nurses and clinical officers, to improve access of health services.”
The Member of Parliament for Turkana East Constituency, Nixon Ngikor, recommended that the CHP stipend should be increased to be commensurate with the current cost of living.
The launch also included the recognition and awarding of community health services individual staff members and teams awarded for their exemplary works in the respective sub-counties.
Other MCAs who spoke were David Ekod (Kerio), Patrick Napion (Kaeris), Samuel Lomodo (Lokichar) Mike Ewoi (Lapur), Ruth Kuya (Lodwar Township) and nominated MCAs were Lynnet Abok, Lydia Ejore, Hellen Kaile and Sarah Abdi.
Senior health officials from Preventive and Promotive and Medical Services were also present for the event alongside partner representatives from the National Ministry of Health’s Division of Community Health, USAID NAWIRI, AMREF/USAID Imarisha Jamii, Kenya Medical Training College, Kenya Red Cross, International Rescue, Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and Save the Children.
