News Categories: Health and Sanitation

Training to keep staff updated on the skills needed to meet the growing demands, address changing industry trends, and use new technologies is a mission-critical component of the county department of health.

Training is required to prepare staff to respond to changes within an organization to meet new regulatory requirements and stay competitive in a technologically advancing environment.

The health sector in Nandi County has received a major boost after the Government acquired 6 Biochemistry analysers and 7 full haemogram machines. The machines have already been distributed to all level 4 facilities in the six subcounties and the personnel trained on usage of the modern machines.

Under the leadership of Governor Sang Health sector has seen tremendous improvement both in infrastructure, Equipping and and human capital.

In fulfilling his promise to make health services affordable and available across the county, Governor Sang in his latest milestone achievement has seen all level 4 facilities within the county equipped with modern machines to aid in accurate and evidence based diagnosis thus improving the management and treatment of patients.

The recently acquired machines will offer a wide range of services and increase the scope of diagnosis in our level 4 facilities. The recent decision to equip these facilities is not only to offer services close to the people but also to decongest Kapsabet County Referral Facility that has seen influx of the patients rise up exponentially due to its improved service delivery to the people.

The Biochemistry analysers will aid in diagnosis and management of various diseases affecting lungs,kidneys, heart among many other organs. It will also help in the management of patients in dialysis and ICU and those schedule for surgeries as it monitors biochemical analysis of various fluids in Human body.

Full blood count machines will aid in diagnosis, monitoring and management of various diseases and conditions associated with blood e.g various types of aneamia and other general infections affecting blood. It is one of the routine tests in our hospitals that determines a wide range of infections and conditions.

A child’s smile brings joy to all those around them.

The County Government of Nandi, in association with BelaRisu Foundation, Smile Train and Progressive Nurses Association of Kenya, conducted a three-day camp to perform reconstructive surgeries on 54 children with cleft lip and palates.

The surgeries were performed free of cost at the Nandi Hills Sub County Hospital.

Without corrective surgery, children with cleft face a lifetime of isolation, humiliation and suffering. They cannot eat or speak properly.

The County Government of Nandi has been arranging free cleft lip and palate surgeries since 2018. The medical scheme is useful to both new-born and adults.

The collaboration between the County Government of Nandi, BelaRisu Foundation and Smile Train works to earn that innocent smile on the faces of the little angels because nothing is more valuable than that. For many, cleft lip is a topic of humor but ask the families of those children who were born with a cleft lip and you shall know the pain. Whether we talk about Collins Kiokagat from Kaptumo, Nazira Isaac from Kericho County, Ryan from Murang’a County, Natalie Nyabeti from Nyamira or Calvin Otieno from Kisumu County, these angels, and their families had to face many difficulties in their life before they came to Nandi Hills Sub County Hospital due to cleft lip. Some difficulties were due to the unawareness of the treatment and some due to the poor financial condition of the family.

“We initiated the surgery offer since 2018 and mobilised community health volunteers to go to interior villages, door to door, identifying patients with the deformity. Many are kept at home while some face stigma from mates and society. No child should suffer. The deformity may be due to some congenital problems and not the myth that one is bewitched,” said Ruth Koech, CEC for Health.

Cleft lip and palate is a common facial birth defect that affects one in 700 people globally. Its cause remains unknown but it is associated with genetics, nutritional deficiency (inadequate folic acid), smoking and drinking and self-prescribing during pregnancy.

“Cleft is 100 per cent treatable and takes less than an hour. We are committed to train surgeons and provide necessary equipment for surgery to proceed after the camp,” said Dr. Martin Kamau, BelaRisu Foundation.

For the children and their families, Nandi Hills Sub County Hospital is no less than a benison as it eradicated all the miseries of the patients and their families by providing free of cost treatment.

Immunisation is one of the best ways you can protect yourself, your children and future generations from infectious diseases.

The County Department of Health is advising parents to continue their children’s vaccine schedules.

Being up-to-date on immunizations is important for people of all ages, especially for children, who are particularly vulnerable to complications, said Rachel Too the County EPI Coordinator.

Technology has proven its ability as an enabler in enhancing efficient and effective health care service provision across the globe. The use of technology increases provider capabilities, patient access and management while improving the quality of life for the patients and saving lives.

Today, North Rift Economic bloc (NOREB) member counties’ CECMs for Health and their ICT counterparts met in Nandi to deliberate on a possible partnership with Medic Mobile in identifying technology-based solutions for the betterment of Universal Health Care(UHC) provision.

NOREB brings together counties of Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana and Samburu.

Medic Mobile is an organization that develop and deploy software which acts as a toolkit that supports health workers in delivering equitable care that reaches everyone.

This toolkit ensures safe deliveries, track outbreaks faster, treat illnesses door-to-door, keep stock of essential medicines, communicate about emergencies, and more.

This technological integration in health care focusses on quality of service, data collection & management, timeliness in service provision, ease of access, reports & references, effective communication across the health sector and common database for the Bloc.

Speaking during a demonstration of a UHC management system by Medic Mobile, the NOREB Ag.CEO Dr Dominic Biwott highlights the need for the member counties to grow together in identifying a common solution towards the diverse health care challenges.

In his address, Nandi County’s Chief Officer for ICT and e-Government, Jonathan Misoi lauds the Bloc for the technological move towards improving health care. He further encouraged the NOREB counties to join Nandi in the journey towards automating all government operations and taking services closer to the people.

“The efficiency brought about with the adoption of technology has steered on better services and enhanced citizen wellbeing. Data is key in decision making and such systems offer better information that translates to a well-considered medical decision.” Added Misoi.

The team also looked into and validated the NOREB Region’s Post Covid-19 Economic Recovery Strategy which has been developed to give sustainable road map and guidelines towards economic stability.

Nandi County joined the rest of the world in marking the World Breastfeeding Week by encouraging more women to breastfeed their babies.

To promote breastfeeding and its many benefits for the mother and child, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated the week between 1 and 7 August every year. The theme for 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. While breastfeeding is a healthy practice, many have immense misconceptions regarding it. This forms a major barrier to proper breastfeeding practices being implemented. Proper maternal counselling and awareness programmes are needed to completely dispel these myths.

In marking the WBW and raise awareness of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week, the County Government of Nandi in partnership with Eastern Produce Kenya (EPK) launched Savani Baby Nursing Unit to support mothers in workplaces to start and sustain breastfeeding and to ensure that mothers have access to lactation knowledge and postpartum counselling.

Breastfeeding is important for a child as it provides the best possible start in life. It provides health nutritional and emotional benefits to both mother and children. Also, it makes part of a sustainable food system.

There are several advantages to breastfeeding. It is optimal for both mothers and babies. It can protect babies against infections and reduce the rates of later health problems like diabetes, obesity, and asthma. It is said that for mothers, breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract and bleeding to cease more quickly after delivery. Also, it reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and helps to generate a great bond for mothers with their babies.

“Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information and the support of their family, the healthcare system and society at large. Through our department, we will ensure women are empowered and have the right information and practical help to understand how to successfully breastfeed their babies,” said Ruth Koech, the CEC for Health and Sanitation.

“As a county, we are focusing on creating an environment that enables and supports women to breast-feed successfully,” she said.

Present at the event were the EPK Company Director Leah Chirchir, Maurice Ngetich, General Manager – West Operations, General Manager East Operations, Richard Koech, Kapsimotwa Ward MCA Hon. Rael Rotich, County Nutritionist Angeline Korir, Tindiret Sub County MoH Dr. Kibor among other guests.

In a bid to stem the spread of the contagion, the County Government of Nandi has commenced a mass COVID-19 testing program targeting the business community in the region.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered an unprecedented crisis in the hospitality sector, given the immediate and immense shock to the sector.

Top on the list of mass testing is the hospitality sector in a move aimed at ensuring all hotels and restaurants comply with the set public health measures against COVID-19 pandemic.

The exercise that kicked off at the Kenya Medical Training College, Mosoriot in Chesumei Sub County, Kapsabet County Referral Hospital in Emgwen and at Nandi Hills County Hospital in Nandi Hills Sub County targets over 400 hotel workers.

As of today, there are 4 Confirmed positive cases, one was discharged, 2 asymptomatic cases under medical observation at Nandi Hills County Hospital Isolation Center. One patient who was under Police custody is reported to have escaped and tracing is on.

All the 46 close contacts for the four confirmed cases have returned a negative test result. Surveillance/contact monitoring is ongoing.

Asymptomatic cases, also known as silent spreaders, are the patients who have tested COVID-19 positive but develop no symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat. However, they pose a risk of spreading the disease to others.

The County Department of Health is stressing national health guidance to stay at home and safe lives, encouraging residents to: ‘act like you’ve got it, anyone can spread it.’

All residents are reminded about the critical importance of regular hand-washing with soap and hot water for 20 seconds. The importance of this action cannot be underestimated.

The County Government of Nandi has established Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at the Kapsabet County Referral and Nandi Hills County Hospitals in preparedness of handling Covid-19 disease should need arise.

Speaking after visiting the new ICU Ward at KCRH, Governor Stephen Sang said his administration was prepared for any upsurge of Covid-19 cases.

“We currently have 4 positive cases and our contact tracing is ongoing. We have already taken over 50 samples for testing from the initial contacts from our 4 cases already. We are awaiting their results by tomorrow,” he said.

“We have completed the establishment of our ICU facilities with 7 ICU beds at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and 3 ICU beds in Nandi Hills County Hospital. These 10 ICU beds are ready for use. We have also procured an additional 5 ICU beds which will be available in a months time,” added Governor Sang.

The Governor announced that the County has set up 312 isolation beds across our health facilities in Nandi to bolster the county’s preparedness to handle COVID 19. This has enabled the county to meet the directive by the President that every county establishes 300 bed capacity isolation facilities.

The County boss announced that the coronavirus is now spreading locally, pleading for everyone to stay home and limit gatherings – “If you can stay home, do,” he said.

“I am calling on Nandi residents to rise to this challenge to reduce the spread of this virus. I cannot overemphasize how important this is, particularly at this critical time,” he added.

He was accompanied by the CEC for Health Ruth Koech and Kapsabet Ward MCA Hon. Fred Kipkemboi.

Kapsabet County Referral Hospital’s medical laboratory has received ISO 15189:2012 accreditation from the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS). The recognition follows the spirited process of the hospital management and laboratory staff in ensuring that the department conforms to international guidelines. Accreditation in medical Laboratory services is a preferred framework for building quality medical laboratory systems that are targeted to result in quality tests.

ISO 15189:2012 is a set of international standards formulated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 15189:2012 touches on the competence of medical laboratories to deliver services in terms of but not limited to: a medical laboratories quality services, its managements systems, the staff technical competence and the calibration of instruments.

The award follows vigorous preparation by the management and staff through formal applications, on-site assessments and thorough examination of the laboratories quality and management systems.

The recognition shows that Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Laboratory is a legally identifiable entity and also appropriately registered as a medical laboratory that offers quality services according to international standards.

“The premier referral of our facility means the laboratory meets international standards for quality and competence in medical laboratories. Indeed, medical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease in patients and attaining this certification is a major boost towards actualizing our vision to provide world class healthcare services for our people,” said Ruth Koech, CEC for Health.

Medical laboratory tests are vital in the patient journey because they play a critical role in informing the patient and medical personnel of any underlying issues. Moreover, laboratory test results play a critical role in decision making therefore its importance cannot be taken for granted. There is no room for error.

Patients ought to perform tests from medical laboratories that are standardized and that conduct tests with minimal error and according to international standards.

Kapsabet Medical Superintendent Dr. Daniel Kemboi hailed the achievement, saying the results from the facility lab can be trusted worldwide.

“Our certification means results obtained at this laboratory can now be replicated anywhere in the world allowing it to support training and research. Residents can now enjoy efficient laboratory services due to increased confidence in test results,” Dr. Kemboi.

The Laboratory is manned by County Medical Lab Coordinator (CMLC) Richard Kendagor, who coordinate all Lab services in the county and Lab Manager Julius Maiyo who runs day to day activities at KRCH and 18 health workers who operate 24 hours from Monday to Sunday and on public holidays, providing emergency services to all the hospital’s clinical departments.

This Accreditation formally recognises a Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Laboratory as commendable, and therefore members of the public are encouraged to identify and select the hospital as the facility of choice to receive testing and measurement services that meet customer needs.

In reference to the advertisement by the Public service commission, applications are invited for additional vacancies under the Universal Health Coverage Programme in Nandi County.

The job description of the posts and mode of application can be accessed at www.jobs.nandicounty.go.ke

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified persons should complete and submit Job Application Form from the county website www.jobs.nandicounty.go.ke so as to be received on or before 20th May 2020 at 5.00 p.m

N/B No hard copy application will be received.

The County Government of Nandi through the Department of Health is instituting a number of roadway screening checkpoints for COVID-19 virus at all its major entry border points of Mlango, Kopere, Chakaiya, Kaimosi, Serem, Lemook, Lessos, Kamasai and other routes commonly used by drivers.

Speaking in Kapsabet over the weekend, the CEC for Health Ruth Koech said the screening will involve checking the temperature of everyone travelling into the county using non-contact gun thermometers. The exercise is aimed at detecting anyone with fever or corona virus symptoms.

She said the checkpoints will be manned by the police and public health officers who will be able to attend to travellers using non-contact gun thermometers.

The officers will also provide prevention recommendation messages to travellers.

“It is prudent for travellers who are sick to delay or avoid travel, in particular for elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions,” said Ruth.

The CEC also cautioned the public from buying fake masks which have flooded the market. She advised residents to buy N95 or certified masks which have been recommended by the Ministry of Health.

General recommendations for personal hygiene, cough etiquette and keeping a distance of at least one metre from persons showing symptoms and wearing a mask remain particularly important for all travellers.