News Categories: Health and Sanitation

The United States Ambassador to Kenya, Kyle McCarter will be on his first visit to Nandi to visit ongoing US supported projects with the County government. During the one day visit, Ambassador Kyle will engage with county and national government officials, NGOs and local business representatives. He is scheduled to visit several projects including the ongoing construction of Kapsabet Mother and Baby Hospital Complex and officially open the Nandi Hills integrated comprehensive care centre (CCC).

The over 300 bed capacity Kapsabet Mother and Baby Hospital complex will boast of a High Dependence Unit (HDU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency and Response Unit. Other features are state-of-the-art theatres and a Cancer Screening Centre.

Governor Stephen Sang’s administration is keen on ensuring all patients are treated within the county and not referred to far-flung facilities.

The Nandi hills integrated out-patient comprehensive care centre (CCC) at Nandi Hills County Hospital was constructed with ~$200,000 (KSh 20,000,000) PEPFAR Funds from the US Government. The facility will improve service delivery to over 10,000 mothers and their Children and approximately 4,000 HIV positive individuals.

It currently serves as a referral center for over 11 facilities offering HIV care and treatment and over 70 facilities offering Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services. The CCC was constructed to enable the facility cope with the increasing number of patients and referrals.

The US envoy is expected to interact with the health care workers at the various service delivery points within the Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) and learn more about the U.S government’s financial support towards the provision of quality HIV/TB prevention, treatment and care services.

The County has over the years partnered with PEPFAR to enable the HIV Program to address most of its challenges such as improvement of infrastructure through renovations, procurement of furniture, capacity building, procurement of medical and laboratory equipment, procurement of drugs and delivery of related supplies. These activities have improved management of HIV/AIDS patients, increased enrollment of HIV infected into care and hence most clients in the program are able to continue with their normal activities.

In 2018, PEPFAR supported 149 personnel of different cadres including COs, NOs, Lab techs, Pharm Techs, Nutritionists, HTC providers, Mentor Mothers, Data Officer and Admin staff. These staff are stationed in various facilities, and deployed alongside the County staff. For over 10 years, these staff received a lot of capacity building through PEPFAR supported trainings and mentorship in HIV and Non-HIV related services including: HIV, TB; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Maternal and Child Health; Cervical Cancer screening and management; Gender Based Violence Management; Data management, Analysis, and use for Decision Making; Research, among other critical skills.

Due to decreased PEPFAR funding, and with a view to sustainability of the HIV response, the County Government of Nandi, after discussions with PEPFAR successfully transitioned all the Clinical Cadres to County Government payroll. This has ensured retention of highly trained staff in GoK service, and continuity of quality HIV services. This was made possible through pragmatic County leadership; and is an example to be emulated by other Counties for successful transition and sustainability of HIV services in Kenya.

Under the Walter Reed Project – Kenya (WRP) partnership with the County Government of Nandi, the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) HIV program supports HIV research and vaccine development efforts, as well as operational research and HIV prevention, care and treatment. The Program integrates HIV research and comprehensive care, which enables the team to achieve critical research goals while improving HIV treatment services for the region.

The Construction of a New Chepterwai Hospital Complex, will be Complete in one year’s time. The facility will comprise of a 32 bed capacity male and female wards , 4 bed capacity Intensive Care Units ,2 theaters, a blood bank, An imaging unit, a medical laboratory and Emergency rooms at a cost of 49 Million shillings.

Upon its completion it will serve the entire of Mosop Sub County which is one of the densely populated area in Nandi.

The Construction of Chepterwai Hospital complex is one of the strategies of ensuring provision of quality health care through improvement of health infrastructure and equipping of all facilities that the Governor Stephen Sang’s administration is employing to ensure that the access to quality and affordable healthcare as outlined under the UHC pillar under the Big 4 agenda through allocation of adequate resources in every fiscal cycle.

Architect Peter Joseph Odenyo, while on a site visit called on the contractor to adhere to the Bill of Quantities and timelines to ensure the construction completed in time.

Assistant Director Monitoring and Evaluation, Matthew Rotich also said that strict monitoring and evaluation processes will be regularly conducted in all projects being undertaken by the department to ensure that value for public money is realized.

Other new constructions in the health sector included Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Mother and Baby Complex, Kabiyet Hospital Complex, Kobujoi Hospital Complex, NandiHills Trauma Centre and Meteitei Hospital Maternity wing while another 90 other facilities undergoing renovations and facelift across the County,

The County Government of Nandi held a high-level consultative meeting with Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) north rift region officials.

The meeting was aimed at exchanging views on promotions, training and staffing.

The CEC for Health Ruth Koech pointed out that the meeting brought together representatives of various branches of KMPDU with health officials in Nandi in a bid to improve the good working relations between the two entities.

In a bid to improve healthcare services in the County, the department of Health is partnering with Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) to establish a drug revolving pharmacy in all sub counties to minimise drug stock outs and set up community pharmacy in the six Sub Counties with Mosoriot Sub County Hospital being the model facility.

AMPATH Executive Director Prof. Sylvester Kimaiyo earlier today paid a courtesy call to CECM Health Ruth Koech. Prof. Kimaiyo said that “With proper oversight and stakeholder involvement, Revolving Fund Pharmacy (RFP) is a potential solution to improve availability of essential medicines in health facilities.“

RFP model is an initiative that provides high-quality medications consistently to patients, using revenues generated from the sale of medications to achieve sustainable resupply medications. The kitty is provided for and developed by AMPATH with the aim of ensuring sustainable and continued access to quality and affordable supply of essential medications.

The Health CEC on her part added that Mosoriot as the pilot model will exemplify the feasibility of implementing and scaling up this model to other SubCounties. “The community pharmacy will provide access to purchase of subsidized drugs which are not provided for by the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA). This will be a great relief to mwananchi,” she said.

Following this agreement, an MoU will be signed by both parties to ascertain commencement of the program.

Also present was the Director for Health Dr. David Bungei.

After over 20 years of neglect, renovation works done will now bring a full range of services at Ndubusat Dispensary in Chepkunyuk Ward, Nandi Hills Sub County.

In just under five months, Ndubusat dispensary received the much-needed renovation and upgrade courtesy of Governor Sang’s administration. The facility now has a proper maternity wing, an outpatient wing, sterilization room, a laboratory and an incinerator among other renovated facilities.

But it wasn’t only a matter of infrastructure. The facility also needs adequate service providers.

The County Government of Nandi recognized that need, and it now provides the necessary budget to operate the dispensary around the clock with a full staff of nurses, pharmacists and lab technicians to be posted to the facility before its operationalization.

The county department of health is also providing state-of-the-art medical equipment that will allow Ndubusat dispensary to offer a full range of outpatient care, maternal and child health services, including emergency obstetric care, and maternal and neonatal care services.

”The renovation work does not just meet the basic standards; we now have a very presentable and modern health facility at Ndubusat after several years of neglect,” says CEC for Health Ruth Koech.

The renovated facility will open its doors to the public in early January and will operate around the clock. This means improved maternal, newborn and child health services for thousands of Chepkunyuk residents. It also means the end of traveling to faraway hospitals for basic health-care services.

After over 22 years of waiting, it is enough to put the spring back in the steps of residents as they walk through the hospital every day.

Nandi County Chief Officer for Health Dr. Paul Lagat has urged residents in the county to go for cancer screening as early detection will lead to reduced cost of treatment.

Speaking in Kapsabet, Dr. Lagat said that cancer has been claiming a lot of lives lately and early screening can be a solution to saving many lives.

He urged women to go for cervical and breast cancer screening and men for breast and prostate cancer check-ups at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital.

Dr. Lagat said breast and cervical cancer are on the rise and people should not sit back and wait for disaster to strike.

He also urged residents to observe better lifestyles to avert the increase of cancer cases.

The Chief Officer said that the department of Health has realized that most residents lack knowledge about cancer and most don’t know that it can be treated. As a result, he added, most people only show up in the hospital at a later stage of the disease. He said to reduce the rate of women dying of breast cancer, screening is paramount. He added that the department of health is engaged on educating Nandi residents so as to increase awareness and promote early detection.

On his part, Patrick Kenei, an oncologist at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, revealed that cancers can be treated if detected in its early stages. He called on women to always palpate their breast seven days before and after their menstrual period. He said in case of any abnormality the woman should report to the hospital. He disclosed that breast cancer can present itself through lumps in the breast, abnormal secretion from the nipple, hard and painful breast, just to name a few. Kenei also used the opportunity to enlighten women about cervical cancer which he says kills faster. According to the oncologist, it was high time for the residents of Nandi County to come out in their numbers to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for screening to reduce the prevalence rate.

World AIDS Day is marked every year on December 1 Worldwide, in order to raise awareness of the epidemic, encourage progress in prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS, express solidarity and support for people affected by this disease.

The County Government of Nandi marked the day to reflect on efforts aimed at fighting HIV/Aids and showing support for people living with the disease.

The theme of this year’s global event is recognition of the important role that communities play in responding to the HIV challenge.

The global theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is “communities make the difference” and the national theme in Kenya that is adopted from the global theme is “Towards UHC: Communities united for a HIV free generation”.

Speaking at the event, the CECM for Administration, Public Service and e-Government Triza Morogo applauded the staunch advocacy of activists, the persistent efforts of health workers, the principled stance of human rights defenders and the courage of all those who have joined forces to fight for global progress against the disease.

“HIV testing is essential for expanding treatment and ensuring that all people living with HIV can lead healthy and productive lives,” she added. “Access to confidential HIV testing is still an issue of concern. Many people still only get tested after becoming ill and symptomatic,” said Morogo.

Statistics place women aged between 15 and 24 years with the highest risk of contracting HIV besides being a group that constitutes the bulk of new infections. The Kenya HIV 2018 estimates report released by the National Government demonstrates a gradual decline in HIV prevalence, with much remain to be done to halt and reverse HIV infection.

“There’s a slight decrease in new diagnosis in our region due to HIV/STD prevention efforts and increasing access of medical services for people living with HIV and those who are at great risk,” said Mr. Bwalei the County HIV/AIDS Coordinator.

Bwalei further noted the reduction of HIV prevalence from 13% to 2% is a great achievement. As at October 2019, 12,748 people were living with HIV in Nandi. Sadly, this number increases yearly due to diagnosis of new cases, thus placing continuing demands on health and social service systems. Within the County, 165 health facilities provide targeted HIV testing to Antenatal mothers and 36 VCT Centre’s provide voluntary testing services for the general population. Additionally, there are 30 health facilities providing care and treatment for HIV/AIDs and therefore so far 10,707. (adults-10,103 and 604 children) are receiving anti-retroviral medicines.

He added that the greatest achievements made is the self-test kits.

The Director Health Dr. David Bungei said, “We are all affected and infected in a way, we should all come together as a community to ensure and make our County HIV free, because it is possible. Our Department is working towards ensuring that there’s an increased community-based delivery of HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care, which will help shape stronger HIV response and their role is an essential part of the movement towards universal health coverage.”

Kariuki, a Member from National AIDS Control Council (NACC) representative at the event stated that the prevalence rate nationally 1 out of 5 people nationally live with HIV. In this bracket most of the infected are the youth. Among the programs rolled out nationally include working with Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to train teachers in encouraging pupils and students to adhere to there medications and control stigmatization.

In attendance were, Health partners; Nandi Huduma Center, NACC, CASCO, NEPHAK, MWENDO, DSW, CACC, AMPATH, Emgwen Sub County Administrator, Area Chief and senior County Health Management Officials.

On Sunday; December 1, the 31st anniversary of World AIDS Day, the County Government of Nandi is joining partners with a collective action to expand prevention, with an added focus on lowering infection rates in young women and other key populations who are disproportionately affected by HIV.

The Department of Health is committed to continue working with partners to scale up antiretroviral treatment, to reach key and vulnerable populations including adolescent girls and young women, strengthening communities across the county.

This year, the global theme of World AIDS Day is “Communities make the difference” emphasizing that we are all members of our communities and that we can gain important support from those communities.

The day is an opportunity for the government, the public and partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. It has become one of the most widely recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Join us, raise awareness on HIV/AIDS.

Nandi County joined the rest of the world in marking World Prematurity Day (WPD) acknowledging the journeys of preterm infants and their families as well as raise awareness of the challenges faced by children born preterm and their families and to recognize the more than one million children who die due to complications from premature births.

Speaking at the event held at Serem Health Centre, the CEC for Health Ruth Koech highlighted the importance of prevention of premature birth and its complications through following up pregnancy from the first day and making appropriate tests during pregnancy and giving premature birth in well-equipped hospitals which provide required services without delay.

“Intensifying our focus on prematurity will sustain gains in child survival, and help lay the groundwork for ending all preventable deaths of women and children,” said Ruth.

This year’s WPD is marked under the theme ‘Born Too Soon: Providing the right care, at the right time, in the right place.’

It connects with the benefits of family partnership in care for children, families, parents, health care professionals, policymakers and others.

Premature birth is a very serious health problem. Premature birth is a birth that takes place more than three weeks before the baby’s estimated due date. In other words, premature birth is one that occurs before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature babies, especially those born very early, often have complicated medical problems.

The county government of Nandi is responding and creating more comprehensive and innovative plans to improve newborn survival and health with new measures to accelerate progress for newborn health. The plans outline specific actions to improve the quality care for newborns and mothers during labour and birth, and for the provision of essential care during the first week of life.

The Department of Health has also spearheaded the use of innovative solutions including cost effective technologies towards improving outcomes for new-borns and children. The nnovations and initiatives are already in place to provide health benefits to premature babies and end preventable newborn and under-5 births.

One of the initiatives is the Kangaroo Mother Care: The practice of the mother, or other caretaker, carrying the newborn in early, continuous, and prolonged skin-to skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding.

To mark the day, a Kangaroo Mother Care Unit was officially opened at Serem Health Centre. This was made possible with the support from Nutrition International.

Everyone can play a part in helping prevent preterm births, ensuring accurate diagnosis and caring for women in preterm labor and babies born too soon.

In just one hour you could make the world of difference to someone.

The County Department of Health is encouraging Nandi residents to make an End Year’s resolution that can change someone else’s life, not just their own. In just one hour you could make a quick and easy resolution which saves lives.

Donors are needed from all blood groups and communities.

By donating blood you will save or improve the lives of up to three people. Do something amazing in 2019. Give blood!