Turkana County plans to strengthen medical emergency responses to ensure more lives are saved within the first twenty-four hours after an incident.
The Plan will serve as a framework for the county to establish a working and supportive emergency medical care system based on the Kenya Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Policy 2020-2030 and a 2019 World Health Organization resolution that called for countries to institutionalize emergency services in their health systems.
Speaking during the plan’s launch at the county health headquarters, County Health Executive Jane Ajele said that plan would serve as the blueprint for all medical emergencies cases which account for 30 per cent of out-patient department (OPD) in Turkana.
“The plan seeks to improve the county health infrastructure as well as resource mobilizing for emergency medical care in our facilities as it is key to the implementation of the Universal Health Care in the country,” said Ajele.
The Director of Medical Services, Dr Gilchrist Lokoel said it calls for expansion of county health infrastructure, capacity building of its frontline health workers and ensure high quality of service delivery in all health facilities across the county.
Representing the Turkana County Commissioner, the Assistant County Commissioner (Kalokol) Patrick Siala said that the plan was a step in the right direction as it would assist in dealing with emergencies.
Medical Coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar Sister Doris Mulongo, appreciated the county health department support and assured that the facilities run by the Diocese would implement the plan.
Kenya Red Cross Society Representative for Turkana Chapter, Dan Langat said that the plan would serve as guideline especially in resource mobilization and highlighting community emergency needs.
CEC Ajele also appreciated the Directorates of Medical Services and Administration as well as the partners (Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation, German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Malteser International) for playing a critical role in the development of the plan.
By Peter Gitonga
