A Cerebral palsy clinic has been opened in Kitale town with the intention of complementing management of cerebral cases in the region.
Chairman of Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya (CPSK) George Akakala said Thursday that the society is in the process of establishing clinics in the 47 counties to help bring down increasing cases of the disease.
“Our coming to Trans Nzoia is the beginning of our programme to reach out to all the children in this country who are afflicted with Cerebral palsy. In the 47 counties we need support of people of good will so that we can have our children access the much needed services necessary for them to lead a life that fits a human being like any other,” he said.
According to Akakala, Trans Nzoia was first on the society’s outreach programme given that the region has many cases of cerebral palsy in the country.
“Trans Nzoia was the first county in our outreach programme because of the many cases of cerebral palsy. Our research as a society shows that Trans Nzoia has more children with cerebral palsy than any other county,” he disclosed.
The clinic has been opened at Cherangany Nursing home in Kitale town.
The Chief Occupation Therapist in Trans Nzoia Dan Wandwa said the clinic will help in addressing the cases which are on the rise despite the efforts by the government in managing the condition through the public health facilities.
He said currently 75-80 patients visit physiotherapist clinic in Kitale county hospital per week pointing out that the government will partner with CPSK in managing the condition.
“We appreciate and welcome them, we are going to partner with them in identification and management of cerebral palsy cases in the county,” he promised.
Nandwa attributed the increase in cerebral palsy cases to poor health seeking behavior of expectant mothers disclosing that most of these cases occur during childbirth.
“Cerebral palsy cases in Trans Nzoia are rampant because of various reasons among them being high poverty index, poor health seeking behavior of many pregnant mothers”, he said.
He said that only 56 per cent of mothers who are pregnant in the County seek delivery services in health facilities adding that “at least forty percent get assistance of traditional birth attendants while others are assisted by their relatives”.
He said Cerebral palsy is a leading challenge in terms of disability in the county and all possible means should be put in place to address the problem.
“Over ten percent of the population of Trans Nzoia lives with disability and the bulk of disability are those with Cerebral palsy which can be prevented. This condition calls for multifaceted approach in managing it, we require all health workers, social services, families’ churches among other institutions to manage the condition,” he said.
Mr. Akakala advised parents to take their children for medical checkup once they notice they are not growing up normally.
He attributed home deliveries as among the many risk factors cerebral palsy and urged pregnant women to seek the services in health institutions. .
Others factors, he said include smoking, alcohol and poor eating habits among expectant women.
He said research has revealed that 5 out of 100 newborns in the county are born with Cerebral palsy cases
By Pauline Ikanda
