The County Government of Kisumu in collaboration with Maseno University has launched a 24- hour call center to give impetus to the fight against Coronavirus in the area.
The centre is the second of its kind in the country after the national one in Nairobi and will be manned by final year medical students from Maseno University.
The students working as volunteers have been trained by the county health team using Ministry of Health Covid-19 guidelines.
The trainee medics, shall receive calls from across the county at the center domiciled at Maseno University Kisumu City Campus and institute measures to reach the affected.
Speaking to KNA on Monday, Governor Anyang Nyong’o said the facility will act as the nerve centre for contact tracing and mobilization of rescue missions whenever a case is reported.
Nyong’o said members of the public shall make the calls on toll free number 800720575 from where all response and coordination shall be done.
“Through the call center, we shall be able to monitor pandemic trends, perceptions at the same time offer psycho-social support to distressed callers,” he said.
Even though Kisumu has not recorded any Covid-19 case, Nyong’o said the call centre is among the many interventions mooted by the County emergency response team to stave Coronavirus.
He pointed out closure of open air markets and the main bus parks and early intervention measures taken to keep the virus at bay.
To strengthen referral system in the area, the governor disclosed that 17 ambulances have been procured, four of which have ICU capability.
An additional four ambulances, he added, shall be procured soon to add to the current fleet of ambulances operated by the county government.
He urged area residents to stick to the regulations issued by the ministry, including washing of hands with soap and wearing masks to help contain the virus.
The Maseno University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Julius Nyabundi asked the county government to publicize the toll free number to enable the locals use it.
By Chris Mahandara
