Kisii County Government hosted the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott where they discussed ways of boosting the health sector to provide better health services to residents of Kisii and neighboring counties.
Speaking to the media, Kisii Governor, James Ongwae, said health services transcend administrative boundaries and therefore, the county has partnered with different institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) to support the delivery of health services under the Kenya-United Kingdom health alliance model.
“As Governors from the lake region, we met vice chancellors of the universities and agreed that Kisii University will be the major hub and the other universities including Masinde Muliro, Maseno and Egerton will collaborate in the area of medical education and medical excellence,” said Ongwae.
The County Boss added that they had identified almost 100 acres of land at Nyosia for the creation of the center of excellence in education and research on health service.
He requested the UK Government to allow the county to access resources from international partners, especially the United Kingdom Export Finance in order to support Kisii University.
Ongwae noted the county was keen on developing a capacity-building program in partnership with Christie University so as to have an institutional framework in place, develop an E-Medicine program and have the institution send a number of specialists to assist in running the cancer center being constructed in the county.
The University of Manchester also agreed with the County Government to support in areas of breast cancer, prostate cancer and cervical cancer.
On her part, the High Commissioner lauded Kisii County Government and the UK institutions such as Christie University and the University of Manchester on the efforts they have made in health with regards to cancer treatment.
Marriott noted the UK maternal and newborn health program worth Sh10 billion operates in six counties with Kisii being among them and is aimed at helping to reduce maternal and neo-natal mortality rates.
By Carolyne Omwamba and Volka Jefferson
