Samburu County government through the department of health services is adopting extra measures to strengthen efforts against COVID-19 spread in the county.
County Executive Committee Member (CEC) in charge of health Stephen Lekupe said an isolation center has been established at Samburu county referral hospital.
Lekupe said a budget to deal with COVID-19 has also been prepared and would be presented before the County Assembly for the debate and approval.
He said upon approval of the budget, the county government through his docket would prioritize establishment of the first ever intensive care unit at Samburu county referral hospital in Maralal town.
“Soon after passing of the budget by the County Assembly, we will revamp these wards in addition to acquiring a state of the art ICU facility,” Lekupe said.
Leaders, among them Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda and Women Representative Maison Leshoomo, visited the facility where they donated 10,000 masks and 3,000 sanitizers.
Lesuuda supported the department of health’s idea of establishing an ICU at the hospital saying it would be a long term relief for patients even after COVID-19 pandemic.
Leshoomo asked the government to tighten measures to ensure the County remained Covid-19 infection free.
“We ask government to tighten measures to prevent that disease from reaching Samburu because when it reaches, it will be an outbreak; our people do not understand wearing of masks and keeping social distance,” Leshoomo said.
The CEC said the donated commodities would be used by staff members at the facility as the county waits for a consignment of masks, sanitizers and other commodities from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency.
Samburu County Commissioner John Korir said all donations towards Covid-19 would be channeled through his office as per the national government directive.
“I want to thank Samburu leaders for coming together and donating masks and sanitizers and together we will protect our people,” he said.
So far, Samburu has not reported a single case of coronavirus and preventative measures have been put in place as passengers are screened for temperature at the county’s entry points in Suguta Marmar along the Nyahururu Maralal road and at Archers Post along the Isiolo-Moyale highway.
By Robert Githu
