The County government of Murang’a has made notable strides in improving the health care system as the world marks Tuberculosis Day.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata noted that TB being a public health issue, the County has embarked on ensuring a clean County through the Murang’a Youth Service program that has enrolled over 2000 youths.
“Through this service, we have raised our public health standards as the youths are involved in cleaning and keeping our main town centres clean,” he said, adding that dirt and TB are related.
The Governor spoke at Kimorori Grounds during the celebrations to mark World TB Day. Thus, “To effectively monitor the TB cases at the click of a button and with the help of our community health promoters, we automated all our 147 health facilities” he revealed.
“We have also improved our infrastructure by expanding our hospitals to cater for the 1.1 million residents who would previously be congested in our health facilities posing another health risk to the fight against TB and other diseases,” added the County boss.
Kang’ata disclosed that high levels of poverty are intertwined with high case of Tuberculosis and to counter the challenge his administration had initiated the inua mkulima program whose part of the proceeds will cover health care.
“Our mango and dairy farmers will have a health insurance due to the SHIF contribution deducted directly from the proceeds of their farm produce and a card to access the health facilities even as they benefit through provision of farm inputs among others,” he said.
At the same time the Governor also highlighted some of the challenges making health care provision a nightmare and urged the National government to enhance the delivery of health care.
The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) owes the County Government over 50 million and you find that some hospitals are reluctant to admit patients even on Kang’ata Care insurance that relies on NHIF.
On lack of drugs in the hospitals, the Governor urged KEMSA to ensure they increase the drugs fill rate that currently stands at 60%. The County has also managed to migrate Kenneth Matiba Hospital from a rented premise to an area where it will be able to offer health care services to the residents better.
The event was attended by CS Health, Susan Nakhumicha, PS Health Mary Muthoni, Chairman KEMSA Irungu Nyakera, Nyeri town MP Dancan Mathenge, Kangema MP Peter Kihungi, USAID mission Director David Gosney among others. Hence, globally, 15 million people succumb to Tuberculosis annually.
By Florence Kinyua
