The Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium intends to partner with the county government of Vihiga in the promotion of primary healthcare services.
The executive director of the consortium’s Board Prof Fred Were said their main focus is on the promotion of reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health and nutrition aimed at lowering child and maternal mortality.
Prof. Were, who led his team on the tour of the county on Monday, expressed satisfaction with the data collection system in the health department which he said would play a pivotal role in addressing the various health concerns.
The team commended the use of the Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) to collect data at the grassroots level and also identify patients who needed referrals.
Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo stated that the CHVs ensure that the expectant women are referred to the nearby health facilities to avoid unskilled deliveries.
Ottichilo said his administration initiated the maternal and child health care promotion dubbed Ottichilo Care three years ago which has significantly reduced the child and maternal mortality rate in the county.
He pledged to use the existing data in the health department to plan and address the existing gaps.
The county head also showed the visitors the county’s modern Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratory which helps in data collection and storage.
By Sammy Mwibanda
