The Ministry of Health has organized a number activities leading to this year’s Mashujaa day celebrations in Kericho County, whose theme is Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a key pillar in the Bottom-up Transformation Agenda (BETA).
According to the Kericho County Executive Committee for Health services Brenda Bii, one of the activities leading up to Mashujaa fete will be the launch of the Primary Health Care Networks (PCN), systems that link facility-based health services to the community fostering a seamless approach to healthcare delivery.
Speaking during a media sensitization forum, Bii said a week-long Medical Camp will also be held starting Monday October 9 to 18 in all the six sub-counties, where area residents will benefit from various medical checks and consultations with health experts.
Some of the services that will be provided at the medical camps include breast and cervical cancer screening, screening for Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs), Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, screening for Tuberculosis, immunizations, deworming, family planning, treatment of minor illnesses, HIV testing, blood drive and referral where necessary.
Residents of Kipkelion West Sub-County have been urged to visit Kasheen Chief’s camp on October 9, 2023, while Ainamoi Sub-County residents can visit the Ketepa Camp and Ainamoi Center on Tuesday October 10 for the medical camp.
At the same time, Bureti Sub-County residents will have a chance to access the medical camp at Kapkatet Stadium on Wednesday October 11, 2023, while residents of Soin/Sigowet Sub-County can get screened at Chepkemel Health Center on Thursday October 12, 2023.
Equally, the medical camp will be available in Belgut Sub-County October 16, 2023 at Sosiot stadium, while Kipkelion East Sub-County residents will be screened at Londiani town on October 17, 2023.
On the other hand, Kericho town residents will benefit from the medical camp on October 18, 2023 at Moi gardens, which will be the last day of the medical camps.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of health will also hold a 4-day medical expo from October 16 to 19, 2023 at Kapkatet Stadium involving both public and private industry players, to showcase medical services and products as well as technological innovations in the health sector.
According to Bii, on the first day of the medical expo, the theme will focus on Primary Health Care (PHC) which essential health care is made accessible, acceptable and affordable through full participation of individuals, families and communities.
She further said the role of Primary Health Care is providing high quality, low cost care to individuals and families, adding that Primary Health Care also serves as an early warning system to detect and stop disease outbreaks.
Therefore, Primary Health Care packages include promotive health education, preventive package comprising screening, immunization and monitoring. Another PHC packages include ambulance and emergency response, acute ambulatory care, palliative care and rehabilitative care.
As for the second day of the Medical Expo, the theme will focus on health information systems, Digitization and innovation, which is basically leveraging technology to reach the unreached.
On the third day of the medical expo, the theme will focus on human resource for health, while the fourth day the theme will revolve around healthcare financing and showcasing innovative health financing models for increased domestic resource for health.
Among other activities will be the launch of an oxygen plant at the Kericho County Referral Hospital.
By Kibe Mburu
