The county government of Kisumu has unveiled a 24-hour Emergency Response Center to give impetus to the fight against Covid-19 and other emergencies in the area.
The center, domiciled at Kisumu County Referral Hospital has been linked to 21 ambulances and seven Sub-County Hospitals.
Kisumu residents will reach the center through a toll free number 0800720575 from where all response and coordination shall be done.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili said the center shall be manned by a doctor, nurses, emergency response technicians and ambulatory services fleet manager for quick response and evacuation where necessary.
The center, which comes after the successful launch of a Covid-19 Emergency Response Center, he said will go a long way in helping flatten the curve.
The county, he said, has recorded 2, 606 coronavirus cases so far from 28, 705 samples since the pandemic broke out last year.
Out of this, 2, 000 cases, he said are community transmitted with death toll standing at 75 as at April 5th 2021.
Ninety cases, he said, were diagnosed last week compared to 144 the previous week calling for concerted efforts to tame the disease.
County Executive Committee (CECM) in-charge of Health Prof. Boaz Nyunya said the center, set up at a cost of Sh2.2 million and support from development partners is set to pioneer telemedicine in the area.
“We intend to use this center to roll out telemedicine where calls received shall be processed and consultations made with the relevant specialists before the patient is brought to the hospital,” he said.
Acting Chief Officer for Health Dr Gregory Ganda said the county government has procured a Sh50 million oxygen making plant to address the limited supply.
The plant, sourced from the United States of America, he said is expected to arrive in May and shall be installed at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
This, he said, will double the county’s oxygen production capacity and ensure steady supply as cases of covid-19 soar.
By Aphline Wamari and Chris Mahandara
