Turkana County has received 2,454 kits and 2,454 tablets to cover the 225 active community health units.
The kits contain various items that will facilitate Community Health Promoters (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.
Speaking during the launch of CHP kits and tablets, county deputy governor Dr. Erus described CHPs as the engine in the provision of community health services.
At the same time, Dr. 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.
He said the partnership was on its way to achieving the governor’s health agenda.
The deputy governor also called on the integration of national and county government health structures to deliver quality healthcare services to all county residents.
“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,” he said.
On his part, the County Commissioner, Jacob Ouma, urged the CHPs to promote and encourage the utilization of latrines in every household to reduce the spread of hygiene-related diseases.
He also commended efforts of the national and county health officials and other partners for advancing healthcare in Turkana County.
“County officials will 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 Ouma.
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 for Medical Services Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel urged 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.
The chair of the Health Committee, who is the Songot Ward representative, Bethwel Kobongin said, “The committee is working tirelessly to ensure that the sub-county hospitals and facilities have gotten enough doctors, nurses and clinical officers to improve access of health services.”
At the same time, Turkana East MP Nixon Ngikor recommended that the current CHP stipend 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 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 the nominated MCAs were Lynnet Abok, Lydia Ejore, Hellen Kaile and Sarah Abdi.
Senior health officials from Preventive and Promotive 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.
By Peter Gitonga
