News Categories: Health and Sanitation

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24 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 0
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HUNDREDS TURN UP FOR KIBISEM MEDICAL CAMP

Hundreds of residents of Kibisem village, Chemelil/Chemase Ward in Tinderet Sub County, thronged Kibisem Dispensary to receive free services during a health camp that was organised by the County Government of Nandi in partnership with Karebe Gold Mining Company Ltd.
The medical team provided free medical services during Friday’s camp that included cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, HIV testing and counselling, malaria testing.
Others were family planning methods, Nutrition and Health Education.
Speaking at the event, the County Director for Health Dr David Bungei said cancer screening is strategic as it puts in place mechanisms to raise awareness about the chronic disease.
“We encourage people to get screened to be able to arrest cancer in its early stages,” he said.
Dr Bungei encouraged males and females to get tested for cancer, including prostate, colorectal, cervical cancer and breast cancer.
He said it was unfortunate that most people continue to die due to late diagnosis and lack of proper cancer treatment.
Tindiret Sub County MoH Dr Joseph Kibor revealed that major conditions reported at the camp were malaria, respiratory tract infection and non communicable diseases.
“Emphasis has been put on the non communicable diseases as they are the silent killers among our people yet this would be avoided if tests are conducted early,” he said.
Karebe Gold Mining Company representative Emmy Cheruiyot said “As a corporate social responsibility, reality pushed the Company to consider partnering with the County Department of Health in taking care of the needs of the community.”
“Having realized that the majority were sick and could not afford treatment, Kerebe Gold Mining Company management chose to support this event to ensure that we have a healthy and productive community,” she said.
Ms Jane who was a beneficiary of the medical camp, thanked the County Government of Nandi and Kerebe Gold Mining Company for the initiative.
“I have no money to seek diabetes treatment and I am not able to cater for my medical expenses,” she said.
She said that she is forced to seek herbal treatment which sometimes doesn’t work.
Key elements of the government’s strategy to achieve UHC include building resilient and responsive primary health systems and investing in preventative and promotive community healthcare. It is against this backdrop that the County Government of Nandi recognizes Karebe Gold Mining Company for its “impactful collaboration” notably in the areas of strengthening community health, construction of staff quarters, sanitation facilities and donation of drugs to facilities within Chemelil/Chemase Ward.
Present at the event were the County Nurse Laban Tallam, County HIV Coordinator Richard Bwaley, County RH Coordinator Irene Berenge, County Nutritionist Doreen Toroitich among other officials.
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23 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 0
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MOSORIOT HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT MOVES CLOSER TO COMPLETION

Chesumei Sub County residents are a step closer to having enhanced health care close to home as Mosoriot Hospital redevelopment project nears completion.

The residents will have increased access to health-care services as the expanded hospital will include a new operating theatre, a laundry unit, a modern incinerator, a standby generator,  emergency department, medical/surgical in-patient as well as an expanded ambulatory care and oncology unit, maternity and women’s health unit and pharmacy.

The project is being delivered by the County Government of Nandi in partnership with the French Government.

The CEC Member for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech led a team of contractors for a site visit at the facility.

“We are excited to see this significant milestone achieved for Mosoriot Hospital. I express our gratitude to French Government through FSE France Group and Mediomics for delivering on the commitment to proceed with this greatly needed upgrade to a critical health-care facility. Along with the numerous other improvements to this critical facility, we are particularly pleased to see the modern medical equipment and we are also excited to see the facelift, installation of a standby generator, construction and equipping of a new theatre and a modern incinerator,” said Ruth Koech.

“For our community and Nandi County, it means better health care facilities and expanded health services close to home,” added Ruth.

FSE Group France and Mediomics are two companies selected by the Ministry of Health to carry out installation, commissioning and maintenance of the equipment. They have since trained hospital staff involved in the operation and maintenance of the installed equipment.

Present during the site visit were Raphael de Tramasure FSE France General Manager, Nasser Achta Bertin Technologies, Waste Management, Jean–Luc Willequet FSE France and Joseph Wamunyu – Contractor Mediomics.

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22 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 0
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UNLICENSED FOOD VENDORS IN KAPSABET TOWN PUT ON NOTICE

CAP 254 of Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances states that any person who sells, prepares, packages, conveys, stores or displays for sale any food under insanitary conditions shall be guilty of an offence.
Street food vending operated by food operators that do not possess a health permit pose a serious public health risk to residents and visitors in Kapsabet town and its environs.
It is unlawful for any vendor to sell, display or offer for sale any food, beverage, goods or merchandise without first obtaining a public health license from the Government.
The Department of Health and Sanitation expressly finds that the vending of produce, prepared or prepackaged foods, goods, wares, and/or services, under certain circumstances, on public streets, sidewalks poses unsafe conditions and dangers to the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Kapsabet Town.
In this regard, Emgwen Sub County health officials have issued a warning to residents about eating food from unlicensed street vendors in Kapsabet Town.
Further, the Public Health officials together with the Municipal Management are putting on notice all unlicensed food vendors.
Speaking during a meeting between the Kapsabet Municipal Manager the Department of Health of Health Officials from Emgwen Sub County, the Municipal Manager Richard Ng’eny said that people are taking a health risk when they purchase food from vendors who are not licensed and regulated by the Municipality.
It is required of all mobile food vendors to get licensed by the Health Department if they want to sell food to the public.
Vendors are required to follow food handling and safety standards as set by the Public Health Act. Included in this act is a list of food handling tips, including proper hand washing stations, hot and cold temperature controls, measures to prevent cross contamination, proper food storage and food handling certification.
In addition to this, the Health Department looks at where the food is being prepared to make sure there are no unsanitary practices taking place before being sold to the public.
“When we go to some of the places that are prepping the food, they are doing it in the backyard or garage. We are seeing really unsanitary conditions,” said Bittok, Emgwen Sub County Public Health Officer.
In order for a food vendor to become licensed, it is a requirement to obtain a food handling certificate from the Public Health.
Despite the requirements, there are some who choose not to get licensed and are still operating and selling food. In Nandi County, it is a misdemeanor violation to operate as a food vendor without a permit, subject up to a fine.
Inspectors with the Health Department are set to go out on a regular basis, searching for those vendors operating without a permit. The health inspectors will issue cease-and-desist orders to unpermitted food vendors within the town.
The County Department of Health is working with Kapsabet Municipality to protect the safety of food products that are supplied to consumers within the municipality by providing a permitting and inspection process for food vendors.
Present at the meeting were the Principal Public Health Officer Ray Sowon and Kapsabet Head of Enforcement Nick Kigen.
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14 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 0
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SHUN PRACTICES PROMOTING THE TRIPLE THREAT

It is important to underscore that a nation’s most important resource is its people and more importantly a healthy people; That is where prosperity lies.
In view of this, Nandi residents have been called upon to avoid practices that may promote the Triple threat of new HIV infections, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and teen pregnancies which hinders the dreams of young girls.
Speaking at Emoo FM “Mwaa” program, Nandi Deputy Governor Dr Yulita Cheruiyot said the three were a silent threat to the nation amongst the youth who are the future of the country.
“This is a societal issue and to succeed in fighting the vices, we need to get out and talk about them openly,” said the Deputy Governor, adding that the government alone can’t solve it but can play the role of sensitizing citizens about the same.
“Time has come to say that things are not going in the right direction because our youth are under threat,” said Dr Yulita.
She said that there is need to confront the threat and called on the residents to unite in addressing the ‘Triple Threat’ including homosexuality among the adolescents and young people in Nandi County and other parts of Kenya.
She added that better coordination and close collaboration with involved institutions will help to address important issues in society.
The Deputy Governor highlighted sexual and gender-based violence as a crime that need to be addressed since it increases risk of HIV for women in the county and country at large.
She stressed that young people are at most risk of HIV infection, especially girls if they engage in sexual activities without protection against HIV and AIDS.
She said the County Government of Nandi is partnering with other institutions in an effort to end HIV and Aids as a public threat.
All this show the commitment and political will to address factors that drive the triple threat and promote the wellbeing of adolescents in the county. However, there is need to create awareness of the devastating impacts of the triple threat. Not only does it put pressure on population and development, it also increases the burden on healthcare and other vital social services. It also negatively impacts on girls’ and women’s empowerment and reduces their opportunities to engage in development at household, community and national level.
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10 Feb
By: Peris Tarus 0
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NANDI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IN A CAMPAIGN DUBED ‘END THE TRIPLE THREAT’

The county government of Nandi through the Department of Health has partnered with the National Government’s Ministry of Health and the National Syndemic diseases control council in the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence, teenage pregnancies and new HIV infections.

Speaking at an event held on Thursday at Aldai Technical Training Institute in Kemeloi-Maraba ward, the deputy governor Dr. Yulita Mitei Cheruiyot said that the County Government will work to end early childhood pregnancies, sexual and Gender Based Violence and new HIV infections in Nandi.

On her part, the chief executive officer for the national syndemic diseases control council Dr. Ruth Laibon- Masha said that it is the responsibility of every parent/guardian to ensure that children are protected from Sexual abuse which can lead to early pregnancies and HIV infections. She said that most children are abused by people who are well-known to them including close family members. The sensitization event brought together state officers, health professionals, local leaders, chiefs, village elders, members of the 4th estate and community health volunteers and they discussed on the best ways to curb the three issues which affect young people in Kenya.

According to statistics, Nandi records 68 new HIV infections every month. This according to experts is alarming. In Nandi, there are 18,618 people living with HIV. This is according to the National syndemic diseases control council report 2022. The report says that Kenya loses about 6 adolescents and young people aged 15-24 daily to AIDS-related illnesses. The report says in 2021 alone, pregnancies among children aged 10-14 years increased by 28.7% from 16,956 to 21,823. The number of new HIV infections among those aged 15-24 increased in Kenya by 7.7% compared to the year 2020 according to the report.

In Nandi, 555 new HIV infections were recorded in 2021. The report further says 5781 adolescent pregnancies (10-19 years),64 sexual and gender-based violence (10-17 years) and 112 new HIV infections (10-19 years) were recorded in Nandi in 2021 among adolescents. In Kenya, 316,187 adolescent pregnancies, 16,476 SGBV cases and 5123 new HIV infections were recorded in 2021 according to the report. The campaign dubbed ‘End the triple threat’ is happening is all the 47 counties in Kenya with the aim of sensitizing the public to join the fight against new HIV infections, sexual and gender-based violence and adolescent pregnancies.

 

Also in attendance at the event were Mrs Ruth Koech, the County Executive Committee Member for Health, and her counterpart from Elgeyo Marakwet County, Mr. Michael Kibiwott, along with other guests.

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10 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 2
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HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN LEAD PRAYERS FOR CAREGIVERS, PATIENTS AND COMMUNITY

Kapsabet County Referral Hospital staff earlier today gathered for a prayer service led by volunteer chaplain in support of the medical professionals and public safety personnel who have struggled to save lives, as well as of patients and families.
The prayer session was led by Fr Masika of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, Kapsabet.
“It’s an honor just to serve alongside the staff here at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and support our community and patients and families who are here each and every day,” Fr Masika said in opening remarks.
The hospital has about 2 volunteer chaplains on its list.
The CEC Member for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech thanked the chaplains and said they had been asked to give ”words of encouragement and support for our patients, their family members and also our employees who are working very hard to provide excellent care for our community and our patients.”
The hospital leadership plans various ways to show support during a “challenging and extremely stressful time,” she said.
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09 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 0
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COMBATING THE TRIPLE THREAT; HIV, SEXUAL GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AMD TEENAGE PREGNANCIES

We live in a world that is rapidly changing. The convergence of people embedded in an ever-changing environment has created a new dynamic. This dynamic is characterized by new threats to the health of humans. Our interconnectedness strongly suggests that our future success in improving health will be based on a new integrative, holistic, and collaborative approach.
The rise in number of HIV infections and unintended pregnancies among adolescents aged 10-19 years remains a major public threat in Kenya with 98 new infections occurring every week among young people.
This challenge jolted stakeholders into kick-starting a campaign aimed at eliminating Triple Threat of HIV, Teenage Pregnancies and addressing all forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) by 2030.
Although Kenya has made significant investments to ensure adolescent and young people are educated, enjoy a healthy life and attain their aspirations, new HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies and sexual and gender based violence threaten this progress.
In this regard, the County Government of Nandi and National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) have partnered to spearhead community-led interventions on eliminating the triple threat; Sexual Gender-Based Violence, Pregnancies and HIV among adolescent and young people.
The interventions seeks to build momentum for scaling-up prevention of gender-based violence, reducing early and unintended pregnancies among adolescent girls and HIV prevention programmes for youth.
NSDCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Ruth Laibon Masha paid a courtesy call on H.E Governor Stephen Sang in his office and called for the scaling up of the fight against the triple threat noting that these challenges have persistently “compromised our social fabric and contributed to significant social and economic inequalities.”
Dr. Masha later graced a sensitization meeting for community leaders adopting a multi-agency approach with relevant stakeholders that speaks to the hearts of many mothers, fathers, brothers & sisters under the theme ‘ending the triple threat among adolescents’ at the Aldai Technical Institute in Aldai Sub County.
Dr. Masha lauded the role Nandi Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) play as the best entry point in dealing with incest. “I urge you to amplify incest cases in the community,” she said.
She said adolescent pregnancies remained high in the country, with an average of 25 percent in the last 6 years.
On his part, Governor Stephen Sang underscored the need for a concerted and decisive approach in ending the triple threat of pregnancies, new HIV infections and sexual and gender based violence cases among adolescents and young people.
He said ultimately all the efforts to promote the development of adolescent girls and to reduce early marriages and teenage pregnancies are important in the fight against poverty.
Governor Sang called on parents, religious and traditional leaders to collaborate with public and private sector stakeholders in reducing the spate of teen pregnancies and early marriages in the county.
Deputy Governor Dr Yulita Cheruiyot said the overlapping challenges among the county’s children negate the gains made in the health and education sector depriving young girls of the opportunity to further their education and attain their career goals adding that they are not only disruptive to the individual children but the entire society.
Also present at the event were the County Commissioner Herman Shambi, CEC Member for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech, Kemeloi/Maraba Ward MCA Hon Truphosa Kuto and County RH Coordinator Irene Berenge.
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03 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 0
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NANDI TO MARK WORLD CANCER DAY

World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4 each year. It is a day dedicated to recognizing this global scourge and the patients and their families who live with, died from, and survived cancer.
World Cancer Day is more than just a day on the calendar.
This year’s event will be marked at Kobujoi Dispensary in Aldai Sub County on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
Join Us!
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03 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 0
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HEALTH CEC HOSTS NATIONAL SYNDEMIC DISEASES COUNCIL OFFICIALS

The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) Officials paid a courtesy call on the CEC Member for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech.
The Council previously known as the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) is mandated to manage syndemic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis and lung disease.
The team led by Celestine Kinoti held talks on priority areas in curbing new HIV/AIDS infections among adolescents and teenagers as well as mother to child transmission in the county.
The County Government of Nandi is committed to advancing its response to HIV/AIDS, Alcohol and substance abuse especially among boys and young men which is a major cause of criminologenic behaviors and injecting drugs use that contributes to new HIV infections.
New HIV infections among the young people in Kenya are largely driven by layered vulnerabilities that calls for multi-sectoral response. NSDCC coordinates a national HIV data system to generate intelligence for a better targeted response.
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02 Feb
By: Remmy Butia 0
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HJF MEDICAL RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS PAYS A COURTESY CALL TO THE CEC FOR HEALTH

HJF Medical Research International (HJFMRI) team earlier today paid a courtesy call on the CEC Member for Health and Sanitation to discuss areas of partnerships and collaborations.
HJF Medical Research International, Inc. (HJFMRI) has played a key role in the success of a number of medical programs. Working in Nandi County, HJFMRI focuses on infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response in conjunction with the County Government enabling clinicians and lab technicians at more than 30 facilities to study antimicrobial resistance, malaria drug resistance, influenza, enteric pathogens, acute febrile illness, sexually transmitted infections, Rift Valley fever, vector-borne illnesses and other infectious diseases.
The team was led by Dr Rachael, Dr Njeru, Dr Isaac, Dr Tallam, Cutner and Celestine.
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