It was a sigh of relief for more than 5,000 residents of Luanda township when Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo, commissioned Epang’a Health Centre bringing services closer to the villagers who traversed large distances for the same.
Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo, who commissioned the facility, said they spent Sh. 8 million on construction and an additional Sh. 5 million on equipment.
Dr. Ottichilo said that his administration was determined to ensure the residents had access to health care services by constructing more health facilities within the reach of the residents.
The County boss further pointed out that the health centre will be providing the services on a 24-hour basis.
“We have partnered with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to ensure steady supply of medicines to all the facilities in the county,” he said.
He added that the opening of the health centre is going to ease the burden experienced at the Luanda Town Dispensary and Emuhaya Sub County hospital.
He said they have so far enrolled 11,000 poor elderly persons under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and intend to add another 2,000 this fiscal year.
“We want to enlist more residents under the NHIF medical scheme in a bid to realize Universal Health Coverage (UHC) envisaged in the national policy,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the county head also commissioned Epang’a bridge to enable smooth transportation in the area.
The county head said they have so far constructed four bridges and 10 roads in Luanda township ward.
By Sammy Mwibanda
