Turkana County administration is ready to collaborate with partners through the public-private partnership model to achieve its agenda on health and sanitation, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has said.
He said leveraging on partnership with private sector would help in pooling enough resources to strengthen primary health care, enhance timely supply of medical supplies to facilities as well as address the human resource gap in the health sector.
Governor Lomorukai spoke on Monday when he hosted a team from Amref Kenya led by Country Director Ndirangu Wanjiku who paid him a courtesy call at the County headquarters.
The Governor shared his vision to improve service delivery in health, including regularizing a stipend for Community Health Volunteers.
He noted that the ravaging drought had worsened the malnutrition situation in the county.
Lomorukai stated that the County Government will readjust its budget to address support to communities affected by drought.
He assured the delegation that his administration would provide a conducive environment for all partner organizations to effectively implement programmes. He revealed plans by the county to establish a Level Six hospital in Lodwar to offer better referral services.
County Secretary and Head of Public Service Peter Eripete stated that progress had been made in the health sector since inception of devolution and acknowledged development partners for their contribution in the strides made.
Amref Country Director Wanjiku, delivered a message of goodwill to the Governor, elaborated the organization’s plan and promised to build up their relationship with the county administration from their many decades of working in Turkana.
Others who spoke included Acting Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Alfred Emanman as well as Directors Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel (Medical Services) and Dr. Ameyo Bonventure (Promotive and Preventive Health).
By Peter Gitonga
