News Categories: Health and Sanitation

In the past years, Nandi was the epitome of inadequate and inefficient healthcare services.

However, under Governor Sang’s administration, the County Government of Nandi continues to invest heavily in the provision of healthcare, health infrastructure, medicines and personnel.

The County Government of Nandi is committed in offering quality and affordable healthcare for all and by ensuring Nandi residents have a wide choice in as far as health facilities are concerned.

A lot has been happening in Nandi’s health sector; for instance Serem Health Centre unveiled a 12-bed maternity wing. Kapnyarwat, Kibonze, Chepyagoris, Chepkemel, Kamamut, Kabutie, Mosombor, Kamelilo, Ndubeneti and Boi dispensaries are operational and the results are impressive.

The Department of Health and Sanitation continues to rehabilitate and improve Kapsabet County Referral Hospital to offer a full spectrum of services and minimize referral cases outside the county. The facility will soon go paperless with the roll out of the Health Management Information System (HMIS). The recently installed CT scan machine, dialysis, MRI and the new theatre are operational. The Oxygen plant is saving the residents and the government thousands of shillings daily. The hospital has been equipped with modern chairs and a modern laboratory is currently operational.

The construction of Mother and Baby Hospital complex is ongoing and is expected to be complete within the next 24 months.

The county government is also expanding Nandi Hills County Hospital. The construction of the facility’s trauma center is ongoing. Expansion of the out-patient unit is complete and operational. The Construction of an out-patient ablution block is almost complete. The facility’s mortuary has been fully equipped with modern fridges and a new embalmer has been acquire and will be operational in the coming weeks.

To ensure steady and uninterrupted power supply, the county government has installed two standby power generators at both Kapsabet County Referral and Nandi Hills County Hospitals.

The County Department of Health and Sanitation is also upgrading six sub county hospitals, each to have an operating theater and a maternity wing. Over 60 other health facilities are set to be renovated and new ones constructed. This is aimed at ensuring the residents of Nandi receive quality healthcare within reach.

The County Government of Nandi has maintained a steady supply of drugs to all health facilities and has recruited medical personnel across all cadres to offer the much needed services.

Contractors who have been awarded County tenders have been urged to adhere to the stipulated timeframes to avert cases of delays in completion of projects.

While speaking on Monday during a meeting with Contractors at the County Department of Health and Sanitation, the Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr. Paul Lagat noted that a number of contractors exceed the given timelines hence pulling back the county in terms of development.

The Chief Officer assured contractors that the County Government is committed to pay them on time upon completion of their work.

Dr. Lagat said that the slow pace which some contractors use executing the projects contributes to rollover and questionable service delivery which result to accusations from residents.

“Dont do any project without any documentation and also you must have a project work plan,” he advised.

On her part the Chief Officer in charge of Preventive and Promotive Services Sally Kemboi added that they have awarded tenders to various contractors and they will start work as from next week as site-handing over is expected to commence this week.

She noted that the department of health and sanitation has put measures in place to ensure that there is timely payment.

The Director of Administration, Planning, Finance and Operations Dr. Philemon Bureti however urged the contractors to finish their work on time as stipulated in their contracts saying that shoddy work will not be entertained, he said that contractors should work within the timeline and do a good job.

The contractors thanked the county government for awarding them tenders and promised to do their best.

Over 70 health projects ranging from construction of new health facilities, renovations, expansion works and construction of incinerators are expected to be complete within this financial year giving a boost to the health sector in Nandi.

Also present at the meeting were Engineers, Deputy Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Mathew Rotich, Economics Officer Vincent Lagat, Tinderet Ward Sub County Administrator Barnabas Tallam and his Aldai counterpart Charles Too, several Ward Administrators, procurement officers among other health officials.

The County Government of Nandi has received drugs worth 80 million shillings from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

The medical supplies were delivered by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) as part of the 2018/2019 back order. The drugs received will last the county until September.

Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr. Paul Lagat reiterated the commitment of the health department towards availing the best pharmacy services to the population seeking for health services in Nandi.

The Chief Pharmacist Dr. Andrew Kisang said that measures have been put in place for commodity security and accountability.

On his part the County Director for Health Dr. David Bungei pointed out that he has directed all health facility committees and in charges to minute all drug deliveries and maintain up to status stock cards.

The consignments will be distributed to all health facilities in Nandi after a thorough inspection by the hospital supply chain managers.

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) Board has lauded the County Government of Nandi for the strategic role it plays in ensuring that residents get quality healthcare services.

The high profile delegation led Wycliffe Omnchei and Lattif Shaban were on a one-day official visit noted that the County leadership has greatly streamlined processes which makes it easy for patients to access NHIF services.

The team whose key mission was to deepen existing partnership and identify new areas of working partnerships, was impressed by the efforts done by the county government.

Health and Sanitation CEC Ruth Koech informed the NHIF delegation that the partnership between the County Government has with the agency is of great importance and that the county values its work to the residents through the health facilities.

The delegation asked the county department of health to record challenges faced and furnish NHIF for attention.

Also present were the NHIF Rift Valley Regional Manager Valentine Morogo, CEC member for Administration, ICT and e-government Triza Morogo, Chief Officer Medical Services Dr. Paul Lagat, Chief Officer Preventive and Promotive Services Sally Kemboi, County Director of Health Dr. David Bungei, Director of Operations, Finance and Planning Dr. Philemon Bureti, Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Daniel Kemboi and his Nandi Hills County Hospital counterpart Dr. Joseph Kangor among other officials.

Appropriate infant and young child nutrition is critical for proper growth and development. In order to promote optimal nutrition at an early age, the department of health and sanitation is engaging community health committees and facility committees on their role in successful implementation of Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) in various community units to address poor breastfeeding practices.

BFCI is a low cost intervention. It drives a community’s accountability for their own health, that is, demand for services at link health facilities.

The link facility should be referring clients to mother to mother support groups and vise versa to address the 1000 days thus improve maternal and infant child nutrition.

During a one day workshop held in Kapsabet town for community health committees, facility committees and other leaders from Mosop and Aldai Community Units, the members agreed to spearhead the activities which are being carried by the Community Health Volunteers within the community.

The department of health is committed to take more of their nutrition activities to the far flung areas of the county.

The county government of Nandi is committed to improving provision of health services to its people.

The nearly completed expansion and renovations at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital are designed and built to accommodate a projected increase in demand for health care in the hospital’s service area.

The construction of covered walkways linking theatre 2 and maternity – Nyayo Ward, OPD ablution block, renovations at MCH parking area including drive ways, construction of doctors lounge and renovation works at rehabilitation department is complete.

In addition to an expected increase in demand for emergency services, the hospital expansion and renovation will accommodate increased integrated outpatient services and additional office space for physicians.

The installation of an elevated steel brazed water tank 80,000 litres (20m high) is almost complete. Prior to the construction of the water tank tower, the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital had to rely on an underground water tank which needed electricity – presently being supplied by electricity to pump running water into the hospital facilities. With the new water tank, the hospital now has an uninterrupted supply of tap water.

The construction of the modern Mother and Baby Hospital Complex is currently ongoing.

The medical equipment leased to Nandi county by the national government is changing lives through better care.

All the machines are functional both at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and Nandi Hills County Hospital.

The MES programme is an arrangement between the county and the national governments. The Health ministry says its “main benefit is access to innovative medical technology and equipment to bring services closer to the people.”

The Ministry of Health targeted a county hospital and one sub county facility in each county.

Nandi County has installed two theatre equipment, two sterilisation machines, surgical sets, a renal set, and imaging and radiology equipment. Others are a digital and portable X-ray machines, a digital ultrasound machine, an MRI scanner, CT scanner, an image intensifier, a C-Arm machine, and a digital dental X-ray machine.

Also provided under the scheme were a mammography machine, operating beds, orthopedic attachments diathermy, anaesthetic machines, and a baby resuscitaire.

The lives of several patients in Nandi has greatly improved since the government supplied the modern machines.

Patients can now attend their weekly dialysis easily and at no extra cost for those covered by the National Hospital Insurance Fund ( NHIF).

Before dialysis machines were procured and operationalized at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, patients used to travel to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret or as far as Nairobi.

Kapsabet County Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Daniel Kemboi said before receiving the machines, dialysis patients from Nandi County had to incur a lot of expenses to seek treatment from distant places.

“Dialysis cost at least Sh. 19,000 per visit and before travelling, the family has to plan at least three days prior on issues of accommodation, food and transport. How many families can afford Sh. 72,000 monthly for dialysis?” he posed.

“The 16 patients we manage can now be brought in by their families in the morning for dialysis and return to attend to other chores and return to pick their kin after five hours,’’ he added.

According to the CEC for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech said that with the modern equipment, cases of disease misdiagnosis have drastically reduced. Our clinical officers and the doctors, including one Cuban doctor interpret MRI, X-ray results and prescribe the appropriate medication a patient requires because of the MES facility.

And because of the ultrasound equipment at the facility, the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital is able to ascertain the situation of pregnancies as soon as a client comes in to the health facility, and attended to them accordingly.

Patients are praising the availability of the equipments. The joy expressed by an old man who requested anonymity summed up the transformation.

“I used to go and queue for days in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret every week for dialysis but now I get the service here at home,” he said.

Washing your hands helps remove harmful germs and bacteria that contribute to health problems such as diarrhea, foodborne illnesses, and respiratory infections. Therefore, washing your hands regularly enables you to stay healthy and reduces the likelihood of you or your loved ones getting sick.

A tippy tap is a simple innovative device operated by foot. It is designed to dispense flowing water in small amounts for washing hands.

The technology is gaining popularity in rural Nandi, especially in schools and areas where water is scarce.

In Nandi County, it is helping rural communities practice good hygiene (hand washing with water and soap) hence forestalling illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia that are leading causes of death in the country. 

Mr. John Kibet, a public health officer in Mosop Sub County explains that the tippy tap is made using a five litre plastic jerry can, an aperture through its upper body which allows water to flow.

The plastic container hangs on a horizontal beam that is supported by V-shaped tree stems.

One end of a strong rope is tied to the mouth of the container, while the other end is tied around a piece of wood lying on the ground to create a pedal.

When one steps on the wooden pedal, the plastic container tilts and clean water flows through the small hole.

Now, rural families and pupils in schools can wash their hands with flowing water and soap by operating their home made tap with one foot!

For ease of access and convenience, tins containing soap are placed next to the tippy tap, on its left and right side.

The County Department of Health and Sanitation, indicates that without hand washing facilities in schools, children are more susceptible to illness, and less able to learn and grow.

Infection prevention practices centered on hand hygiene (HH) protocols is being promoted across all county health facilities in Nandi.

Research indicates that worldwide, children lose 443 million school days each year because of water-related illnesses. More than half of these days (272 million) are as a result of diarrhea alone.

Yet according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease can be greatly reduced – by close to 50 percent – through hand washing with soap.

Nandi County through the Department of Health and Sanitation is contributing towards the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) ‘6’ which aims at ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Hundreds of cleft lip and cleft palate patients will undergo corrective surgery at a free surgical camp in Nandi this week.

The event will take place Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and Nandi Hills County Hospital this week. It is sponsored by the county government in conjunction with Help a Child Face Tomorrow organization.

Over 100 patients from as far Kakuma and Lokichogio in Turkana county have been screened. Those who have turned up with ailments including cleft lips, goiter, broken limbs, prostate, spina bifida and other ailments.

Speaking while welcoming the medical doctors CECM for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech thanked the partners for choosing to have the surgeries in Nandi County.

“On behalf of the county government of Nandi and the entire residents, I sincerely thank you for this. I feel happy when I see our young and elderly smile because of the free medical services,’’ she said.

“This free camp is in line with our universal healthcare ensuring no one should be left behind,” said Ruth Koech.

The no-cost medical clinic will run for a whole week, three days doing surgeries and the patients recuperating.

Samson Ereng’ who traveled from Kakuma in Turkana West, said it just shows that somebody is thinking about them and the less fortunate.

The exact cause of cleft lips isn’t known, but most experts suggest they may include a genetic predisposition as well as environmental issues such as drug and alcohol use, smoking, maternal illness, infections and lack of folic acid.

Affordable and accessible health care across the county is the number one agenda in Governor Stephen Sang’s administration. This is being realized through operationalization and equipping of new health facilities.

It was a sigh of relief for the residents of Kamamut  Village as the  County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech today officially opened Kapng’etuny Dispensary in Kurgung/Surungai ward, Mosop Sub County. The facility had stalled for over a decade.

The completion and the official opening of the facility will now ease the travel distance by the patients while seeking treatment. This is in line with the WHO standards of 5km distance between health centers.

Ruth Koech while addressing the residents urged them to embrace and make maximum use of the facility in managing disease prevalence. She also asked the residents to enroll themselves and family members to the NHIF cover.

“We will work round the clock to continue bringing services closer to the people and providing them with the essential services at the grassroots. I urge all the expectant women to attend antenatal clinics at our facilities to reduce the high infant mortality rates,” she added.

The Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Services Sally Kemboi on her part said that screening services are available at the dispensary and everyone  is called upon to make use of it and take a wellness check time to time.

“Lifestyle diseases which is a menace, should be controlled at all times. Blood pressure and blood sugar diseases are preventable by eating clean and exercising to keep healthy. We should also talk to our children in adopting good behavioral activities. In doing so we will be championing for a healthy society,” said Sally.

Dr. David Bungei, the Director Medical Services reiterated that provision of quality healthcare services is being offered across the county hospitals.

The area Member of County Assembly, Pius Murei, thanked governor Sang for working with him for the betterment of the citizenry.

Mzee Kimutai, one of the elders who’s suffering from a long term ailment,was immensely grateful to the County Government for bringing services closer, saying that it was a relieve for him and many in the catchment area.

The facility was also privileged to receive laboratory equipment as a donation from one of the residents in the village.

In attendance were Dr. Philemon Bureti, Director Administration, Planning and Operations, Sub County Administrator, Nehemiah Chemogos and William Melly, the area Ward Administrator.