Kisumu County has received a delegation of Dutch companies in the health sector led by the Netherlands Deputy Ambassador to Kenya Joris van Bommel to unlock possible collaborations aimed at strengthening healthcare systems.
Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o received the mission comprising 14 Dutch companies to discuss areas of partnerships in trade and health between his administration and the Netherlands.
Bommel said that Netherlands is keen to forge formidable partnerships and explore investment opportunities to boost trade and investments within the country.
Dr Sarah Spronk, former Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs speaking at the seminar held in Kisumu, said the deal would go a long way in bridging inequalities in the health sector by improving technology, medical infrastructure and promote quality healthcare and treatment in the region.
Health Chief Officer Dr Gregory Ganda expressed confidence that Kisumu stands to benefit immensely from the digitization of healthcare which forms part of the partnership.
“The Dutch have a strong network digital health infrastructure which we intend to tap to help us implement programmes like Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS),” Ganda said.
He noted that digitization of healthcare is critical in the planning and making of informed decisions for the population.
In the Financial Year 2022/23 the national government allocated a paltry 11 per cent of its budget to the Health sector which necessitates the dependence on donor funds to improve primary healthcare.
“There is need to seal more collaborations with stakeholders to bridge the gap of underfunding of the sector by the national government,” he stated.
Further, Ganda observed that the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease over the past four years calls for urgent intervention like the expansion of infrastructure to handle the conditions locally.
Nyong’o hailed the partners saying that his administration has taken bold steps towards revitalising the health sector through strategic collaborations.
Kisumu County, which boasts as a medical hub destination for the Lake Region Economic block has bagged innovative deals with its partners including the piloting of drone services for the delivery of vaccines, medicines and blood products in various hospitals and the implementation of electronic health management information systems.
“We remain committed to financial risk protection for all citizens and to health systems strengthening through strategic partnerships and continuous quality improvement. I urge for enhanced collaborations in this journey towards transforming our health care systems,” observed the Governor.
The delegation lead and Managing Director of Task Force Health Care, Micha van Lin was upbeat that the partnership would establish an opportunity of sharing innovations, knowledge and experiences to help improve healthcare challenges.
By Robert Ojwang’
