Bungoma is one of the Counties positioned to benefit from a Primary Health Care (PHC) project, aimed at promoting health at the grassroots.
Other Counties where the project is being rolled out include Machakos, Nyeri, Embu and Nakuru.
Bungoma Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) network, a Non-governmental organization will implement the project in Bungoma on behalf of WHO and the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI).
The aim is to promote better health outcomes for women and newborns, ensure increased uptake of Ante- natal care (ANC) visits in the health facilities, reduced teenage pregnancy and strengthen weak referral systems in the health facilities in Bungoma County.
Speaking during an inaugural meeting with health stakeholders from Sub- County health facilities, Bungoma County director of health and medical services, Dr. Johnstone Akatu lauded the World Health Organization and the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative (PHCPI) for including Bungoma on its list to support residents in getting the primary health care.
“This is a good gesture and as a county, let us take it positively and ensure that our mothers are accessing an improved health care system,” he added.
Akatu noted that Bungoma is lucky and will see residents gain access to better services affirming that it will also reduce maternal deaths in the region.
He noted that Bungoma County has also developed a community health strategy that sees Community health volunteers move around the county to ensure that locals are accessing improved healthcare.
“We have 3,450 Community health volunteers that we have deployed across the county that help us in monitoring pregnant women and other sick people in the villages,” he noted.
Akatu said that some individuals stay at home without seeking medical attention from health facilities, and the CHVs have really helped residents to access services.
He added that the County has employed health providers in all level one hospital and high volume facilities.
“Dispensaries have at least two health providers as high volume health facilities have four health providers that are ensuring that our people are getting improved healthcare,” he added.
In addition, Akatu acknowledged that all Sub- County healthcare providers have been sensitized about the PHC project and they will be at the forefront in implementing it in their areas.
Rahma Issa, the PHC project coordinator said the project will be implemented in Sirisia, Webuye West and Kanduyi Constituencies.
“We have identified three Constituencies, Sirisia, Webuye West and Kanduyi as areas where the project will be run for the next two months,” she said.
The partners in the PHC projects in Bungoma County include Options MAMAYE, Stage Media arts, Bungoma County government, Marie stopes and Civil Society Organizations.
By Roseland Lumwamu
