The Lamu County Government has absorbed 11 new junior medical doctors who will be deployed across the county to improve health service delivery especially in its far flung areas.
Speaking during the presentation and induction ceremony of the new officers at Mwanarafa Hall in Amu Island, the county executive for Health Dr. Anne Gathoni stated that the new doctors will aid in alleviating the need for more healthcare personnel within the county especially in Lamu East constituency.
“There is a need for more medical personnel especially with the influx of more Kenyans who are taking up jobs with the operationalization of the Lamu Port,” stated Dr. Gathoni.
She further said the county government’s move to employ more doctors is also driven by the current administration’s push to fully implement the Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC).
Under the current administration between the county government and the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) the county allocates Sh120 million towards providing UHC for 20,000 households.
“Despite the challenges in improving the healthcare sector in Lamu, the county government has been able to build more health care facilities both in Lamu West and Lamu East and ensuring that they are well stocked with medicine and equipment,” said Dr. Gathoni, adding that at least 50 medical personnel have been employed since Governor Fahim Twaha took over in 2017.
The same sentiments were echoed by the County Public Service Board Chairman Abdalla Fadhil who stated that the newly employed doctors will aid in providing healthcare capacity in hardship areas.
“The new doctors will be deployed in Didewaride, Chalaluma, Witu, Kizingitini and even Ndau areas where residents have been suffering for lack of adequate medical personnel,” he said.
He further revealed that apart from employing the new doctors, more than 150 existing medical personnel have already been promoted this year, with the county service board gearing towards employing more personnel in the next financial year.
The Board chairman also said that they had employed nine women doctors and two men in a bid to ensure that more females feel free to access medical care, especially among members of the Muslim community within the county.
Speaking to the media during the induction ceremony, one of the newly appointed medical officers Dr. Yusra Fumo thanked the county government for employing them stating that she was ready to work anywhere within the county government.
By Amenya Ochieng
