The County Government of Tharaka Nithi has launched a Telemedicine Program, aimed at enhancing access to universal healthcare by enabling remote consultations.
The medical milestone seeks to bridge the gap between urban and rural populations by eliminating the need for long and costly travels by patients seeking medical services.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health in Tharaka Nithi Dr. Gichuiya Nthuraku acknowledged that the new technology would enhance service delivery to the people, noting that developed countries are using such technology to better healthcare in far flung areas in the county.
Dr. Nthuraku said the program has been rolled out in the county’s main hospitals and plans are underway to have the remaining hospitals also equipped.
The program, launched in collaboration with 19Labs California and DTT Technologies Africa makes Tharaka Nithi County among the three counties in Kenya to pilot the initiative.
On March 04, 2024, the County Government of Tharaka Nithi in partnership with the National AeRoMission Accomplishment (NARMA) oversaw a pilot test delivery of emergency medical supplies across the county using drones, underscoring its commitment to use technological advancements to improve healthcare.
According to the County Government, the successful simulation marked the launch of a safer avenue for delivery of medical supplies by the department of Public Health, Medical Services and ICT.
The initiative was also supported by the Kenya Flying Labs and aims to revolutionize healthcare delivery by utilizing cutting edge technology to transport health supplies and organs to those in need even in remote areas.
In the recent Quality Healthcare Kenya Awards, Tharaka Nithi won the County with The Best Managed Healthcare and County Innovation Project of the Year awards.
By David Mutwiri and Blaise Gitonga
