West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has directed 53 intern nurses, whose one-year contract with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) expired in February 2021 be re-employed for another one year on contract, starting July 1, 2021.
He at the same time said that the nurses should pick their employment contracts letters from the West Pokot county public service board chairman, John Maratakou and be ready to report to work on or before the stipulated date.
Speaking when he flagged off Solar Powered Fridges to 12 Rural facilities that would be used purely for cooling of vaccines for immunisation of children against diseases, the county chief said in order for the county government to realise its goal in provision of universal health care services to the residence, more nurses and doctors are needed for effective service delivery.
‘‘We need more nurses in our hospitals and dispensaries that would help us improve the provision of universal health care to the needy patients in our county, however, we need to scale back services in our county referral hospital and dispensaries, as way of ensuring we have enough staff members to handle critically ill patients and anyone that needs medical treatment,’’ he said.
‘‘I sincerely thank you all the for the commendable work that you were able to render to the people of West Pokot county for the last one year, since you signed your contract as Interns for Universal Health Care, and I hope you will continue to serve with the same spirit,’’ Lonyangapuo added.
The County Executive Member for Health and Sanitation, Christine Apokoreng noted that the county government is committed to increasing the medical personnel in the public health facilities for a requisite number of workers especially in rural areas to be realized.
West Pokot Director Nursing services Samuel Lopar thanked the county and national government for their efforts towards ensuring there is adequate provision of medical services in all public hospitals across the country, but urged for deployment of more health workers to deliver quality services in the medical facilities.
The county director nursing services also thanked the national government together with the World Bank for the 12 fridges that the county government bought through their grants, under the program of Transforming Health Systems (THS).
Mr Lopar said the 12 fridges which are Solar Powered, purely be used in the 12 dispensaries within West Pokot county for only storage of vaccine medicines meant for children and mothers.
By Anthony Melly
