News Categories: Health and Sanitation

The County Government of Nandi has forged a partnership with Operation Eyesight Universal. The plan is oriented towards provision of quality eye care services to all Nandi residents, including the vulnerable members of the community. In the partnership, the department of health will engage the County Department of Education where they will have school screening and trachoma programs. The partnership will ensure integration of primary eye care into primary health care and continuity of eye care services.

The County Department of Health and eye unit teams will be engaged from project identification and definition to cultivate project ownership and buy-in. Jointly with the County Government of Nandi, Operation Eyesight will identify gaps in the health system and plans the best way to narrow the gap within the context of competing needs and available resources. For instance, Operation Eyesight has, in the past, identified gaps in human resources for eye health and worked with County Departments of Health to identify staff and support them for specialized training in ophthalmology. Upon completion of training, these personnel are deployed to serve in the eye units.

The partnership will also entail training Community Health Volunteer (CHVs), who are responsible for prevention and promotion of health at level one of the health pyramid. The County Government of Nandi recognizes the critical role CHVs play, and will support their training in primary eye care to conduct door to door screening, identify eye conditions, provide counselling to patients and refer them to either Nandi Hills or Kapsabet Eye Units.

Safaricom Foundation has donated a Full Haemogram Machine to Chemase Health Center through its Ndoto Zetu initiative to help improve medical services.

While receiving the machine from Safaricom Foundation, Tindiret Sub County MoH Dr. Joseph Kibor admitted that the Haemogram Machine is a big boost in the health sector.

“Our target is to take medical services near to the people as well as preparing for the universal health cover as one of the county government measures in addressing medical issues amongst our people,” he said.

He further noted that the availability of machine will address medical challenges that faced the laboratory department in the region adding that initially, patients in the hospital had to seek those medical services elsewhere.

Amos Barno the hospital in-charge noted that the equipment has come at the right time adding that they will not only serve Nandi’s population but also a large population from the neighboring Kisumu County.

The ceremony was witnessed by Suzanne Gwehema Customer Experience Executive, who represented Safaricom Foundation at the event.

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.