News Categories: Health and Sanitation

Health and Sanitation CEC Ruth Koech has urged all parents and caregivers, to take their children to the nearest health facility for free vaccination to immunize them against vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio.

Vaccinations are given to prevent 10 diseases that have historically proven harmful to children, causing serious complications and even death, including polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and hepatitis B.

The vaccines are commonly administered by drops in the mouth or through injections.

Speaking at Koibem Dispensary in Chepkumia ward, the county executive committee member said that it will now be mandatory for children to be fully vaccinated for these diseases before attending school.

“There is a vaccination schedule that starts at birth and the vaccination schedule that every child must adhere to, and this goes up to the age of six. Once they enter primary school or pre-school, which will be children around seven years of age, they should be adequately and fully immunized to enter,” she said.

The CEC pointed out that the vaccines are the first line of defence to protect a child’s underdeveloped immune system against diseases.

“Vaccines are not treatment. They are given to prevent you from getting sick if you come in contact with the germ. You have to get the vaccine before you are exposed to the germ, so that the immune system will already have the antibodies ready and on hand so that once you are exposed to the germ, then your body can mount an effective and increased immune response to prevent you from getting sick,” she explained.

Ruth said that a child who attends school without being fully immunized is highly susceptible to contracting life-threatening diseases and also poses a potentially serious public health risk to others.

“It is our collective responsibility as parents, caregivers and communities to work side-by-side with the health system to ensure that our children are up-to-date with immunization to protect them from infectious childhood diseases because one unvaccinated child can pose a huge risk to children they stay or play with,” she added.

“That is why I urge everyone to ensure that their children receive these free services at their nearest health facility because vaccination does not only protect the individual but curbs the spread of diseases within the community”, said Ruth.

The County Government of Nandi is prioritizing the health and safety of patients by taking action and providing hospitals across the county with funding to upgrade, repair and maintain their facilities.

Chepkumia ward residents are set to get improved health services as plans are underway to upgrade three health facilities in the ward.

The three facilities earmarked for upgrade at a tune of Shs.9 million are Koibem, Chepkumia and Kabwareng dispensaries.

Upon completion, Chepkumia will be elevated to a level three hospital.

Speaking on Monday when she visited the health facilities, Health and Sanitation CEC Ruth Koech said the renovations will commence in a few weeks after the tendering procedures is completed.

The county executive committee member said the decision to upgrade the facilities is meant to spare Chepkumia ward residents the long distances they have to contend with to get tertiary health care.

“The health and safety of patients and families is a priority for our government. That’s why we are making the necessary investments in our hospitals now, to ensure our providers have the facilities they need to continue to provide excellent quality care to patients. This funding will help ensure hospitals across the county are able to make the needed upgrades, improvements and maintenance so that patients and families have access to reliable, quality care they expect and deserve,” she added.

“The county government of Nandi is investing in essential health care projects to ensure the people of Nandi county will have health care services they can depend on now and for future generations,” said Ruth.

She further said that her department will continue to listen to the patients and the people who plan and work on the frontlines. She said that together, we will create a health care system that works for the people of Nandi County.

Deputy Speaker Wilson Sang who’s also the area MCA applauded Governor Stephen Sang’s development efforts in his ward and the entire county.

“In two years, Chepkumia has seen growth never witnessed before, roads that were hard to imagine could be done such as have been rehabilitated, although we still need to do more, we are on the right track and we have confidence in the leadership of Governor Sang for more achievements,” said the Deputy Speaker.

The CEC was accompanied by the Chief Officer Preventive and Promotive Services Sally Kemboi and Director Administration and Operations Dr. Philemon Bureti.

World Immunization Week 2019 commemorated around the world celebrates vaccine heroes ;from parents and community members to health workers and innovators ,who help ensure we are all protected, at all ages, through the power of vaccines.This year’s theme being: Protected Together.

The campaign aims at promoting the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognised as one of the world’s most successful and cost effective health interventions. Yet, there are still nearly 20 million unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in the world today.

Vaccine innovators are heroes who develop new vaccines and innovations to reach more kids in more countries to save lives.

Currently available vaccines protect children and adults against over 20 life-threatening diseases, and vaccines in the pipeline have the potential to expand this protection to even more diseases, including HIV and norovirus. Vaccine preventable diseases include:Measles,cervical cancer,meningitis,mumps,pertussis,pneumonia,polio,rabies,rotavirus,rubella,tetanus , typhoid,yellow fever among others.

Mary(not her real name) is one of the vaccines champion who missed her polio vaccine at a young age.

Mary(not her real name)46, spent her childhood crawling on her  hands and knees in a remote village in Cheptil, Nandi County.

Paralyzed by polio at age 5, she was unable to attend school until her uncle built her a hand-pedalled tricycle at age 19.

“That was a turning point,” recalls Mary. “It restored my hope, my dignity and put me on the path of progress again.”

With dignity, she returned to school – at the beginning. “I went back and finished primary and secondary school. But I couldn’t get into university of my choice right away, so I attended a teacher’s college and earned a teaching position. ”Then, that same year, I got into law school and trained as a lawyer.”

Mary is now an immunization champion spreading the word and urging all mothers to attend all the antenatal and postnatal clinics to keep the child healthy.Mothers  countywide are now encouraged to deliver in hospital as they are well taken care of and provided with delivery ‘mama packs’; which include diapers,baby shawls, baby cloth, sanitary towels, soap, ointment and mama’s lesoas first essentials.

CECM Ruth Koech,mentioned that the County Government will continue to ensure that vaccines procured meet minimum standards and will also need to continue its vital role. Coming up being the immunization policy,a first in the country,to ensure that all children are covered in the exercise.

The Assistant County Commissioner reiterating that his administration will work handy in providing data required in ensuring that the exercise is a success for all and ensuring a healthy county.

“We all have a responsibility to make sure immunizations are up-to-date for us and all of our family and loved ones. The result of not immunizing our children is a great burden to the parent and community at large which is preventable.” Ruth added.

The event was held at Meteitei Sub County Hospital in Songok-Soba Ward,Tinderet Sub-County. In attendance were The Director Medical services, Assistant County Commissioner,County and Sub-County Health Committee,and the immunization partners.

The Sharon Live-On Directors, Barnabas Korir, Chairman Athletics Kenya, Nairobi Region together with his wife Dr.Agnes Korir, today paid a courtesy call to the CECM Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech on a follow up on Sharon Live-On Support program to the County.

Sharon Jepchumba Korir, an 8-year old girl, in 2003 was bitten by a stray dog, which first chased her and then attacked her, leaving a small scratch on her back.Her parents took Sharon immediately to the hospital,but later succumbed to active-rabies three weeks later.

It was this tragedy that inspired Sharon’s mother, Dr. Agnes Korir, a lecturer at Daystar University in Nairobi, to open a foundation  in Sharon’s name,Sharon Live-On Foundation. Finding a way to keep her daughter’s death from being in vain.

The Foundation together with its partners are planning on facelifting Sironoi Dispensary to aid in improving service delivery to its environs. This includes equipping it fully to a higher level facility. The foundation has already bought an acre piece of land in readiness of the construction of the extensive building as soon as MoU is signed between them and the County Government.

The CECM in the brief mentioned that this is a welcomed partnership as it it will boost the health care fraternity. “This will built as an emulative act by other partners and organizations through the country to promote health services” mentioned the health boss.

Present during the meeting were the Chief Officer Preventive and Promotive Health Services Sally Kemboi and the Director Medical Services Dr.David Bungei.

The County government of Nandi through the Public service sector is continually working to ensure staff welfare is taken care of. Today the Doctors CBA implementation and monitoring committee held their quarterly meeting to deliberate on the progress of CBA implementation in Nandi county. The major concerns pertaining the implementation of the CBA include promotions, establishment of doctors call room and lounge, shortage of doctors, disciplinary procedures, leave, working conditions and the realization of other benefits that the doctors are entitled to.

The committee was established in March 2018 to spearhead and monitor the implementation of Doctors CBA. While chairing the meeting, the Acting County Secretary, Dr. Francis Sang said that County Government of Nandi has progressively put in efforts to ensure the CBA is implemented. It has recently employed doctors to curb the shortage and that it will always ensure that the staff working conditions are bettered.

County Public Service Board member, Mr. Sammy Sareto assured the doctors that the pending promotion letters will be issued.

The Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation, Dr. Paul Lagat assured the committee that doctor’s call room and lounge are ready and that the county will continue to support the doctors to go on specialized training based on their needs. He added that when the doctors who are currently out to complete their training, the county will be sufficient in terms of specialists.

The members of the committee include: the County secretary, Chairperson of County Public Service Board (CPSB), Chief officer for health, Chief officer for finance, Chief officer for public service, director for human resource, director for health, County Legal Officer, MedSup Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, two county KMPDU members, two regional KMPDU members.

The Chief officer for Public service, Grace Sugut, assured the doctors and all other staff that their issues and grievances will be handled and that the staff welfare will always be taken care of. The county also endeavours to promote all other staff (doctors included) as per the regulations and with the help of County Human Resource Advisory Committee (CHRAC).

KMPDU regional secretary, Dr. Ismael Ayabei, appreciated the county government for being one of the counties putting in more efforts in the adoption and implementation of the doctors CBA. He further stated that KMPDU has called off the planned industrial action as they look forward to the full implementation of the CBA.

Also present were: County Human resource director, John Keter; KMPDU regional representative, Dr. Samwel Ng’arng’ar; MedSup Nandihills, Dr. Joseph Kangor; County KMPDU liason member, Dr. Mohammed Musa; MOH Nandi Hills, Dr. Titus Sang; County attorney, George Tarus and Nelly Rono from public CPSB Human Resource Department.

Nandi county joined the rest of the world in marking the international World Health and Autism month.

April 2 is observed as World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations General Assembly to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. The day, is celebrated internationally following its adoption by the UN in 2007.

World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated annually on April 7.

Nandi Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot giving an address at the event.

Nandi Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot led Nandi residents in marking World Health/Autism day at an event that was held at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital in Kapsabet Ward, Emgwen sub county.

The celebration was marked with guest cycler James Gatenga leading the procession along the streets of Kapsabet town to create awareness of the disorder.

Guest Cycler James Gatenga

Autism is characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social interactions and in restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour.

Globally, one in 160 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the World Health Organization.

Autism spectrum disorder, refers to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders of variable severity characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction.

The World Health Day was also marked by organising different programmes. The day was celebrated with the theme ‘Universal Health Coverage.

The day is held to mark WHO’s founding, and seen as an opportunity by the organisation to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year.

Progress is being made in Nandi County towards the attainment of UHC through the provision of Quality, affordable health care. Over 20 facilities and 2 maternity units have been operationalized.

In her speech, the deputy county boss said that it is the priority of the county government of Nandi to create an enabling society, where disabled people know they are highly valued and can fully participate.

“I believe passionately, that disabled people and their families want to be free to choose how they live their lives, to live an everyday life in everyday places,” said Dr. Yulita.

Awareness of autism syndrome, how it affects those who live with these conditions and their families, is vital in ensuring access to the right support and most importantly of all, to ensure that people living with these conditions are able to participate in the community and live an ordinary life.

World Autism Awareness Day is about more than generating understanding; it is a call to action.

Present at the event were the CEC for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech, Kapsabet Ward MCA Hon. Fred Kipkemboi, KNPA representatives, Kenya Autism Association among other county officials.

Cyclers creating autism awareness in Kapsabet town

County’s Department of Health and Sanitation is partnering with Voluntary Service Organization( VSO) in the fight against Drug and Substance abuse among the people of Nandi County. Today, they held a stakeholders sensitization forum in Kabirirsang Dispensary in bid to heighten the campaign against drug and substance abuse.

The VSO are conducting a research in Nandi on matters of drug and substance abuse and its relationship with mental illness/ instability. While giving their report on the status of the County in Drug and substance abuse, VSO and ICS called upon all the stakeholders to join hands in fight drug abuse. These stakeholders include task force from Deaf Community, Public health officers,
Mental health team from Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, representatives from Ministry of Education, Ward Administrators A-KILI Foundation Rehabilitation Centre, Public administration and the general public.

CECM for Health and Sanitation Ruth Koech, who also attended the sensitization forum, said that Drug and Substance abuse has resulted into many social and health problems.”This has become one of the major causes of mental health and suicide incidences”, she added.

Ruth further added that strict legislative approaches will be applied in tackling this problem especially in handling the sellers and the users. The department through the Public Health Unit is also working on other strategies that will curb the problem.

She therefore calls upon all stakeholders to support the government in tackling drug and substance abuse especially among the youth.

Breast milk is always the best source of nutrition for the newborns and the infants because of its nutritional, immunological and psychological benefits. Today the Deputy Governor, Dr Yulita Cheruiyot opened Chemomi Baby Nursing Unit which will provide a comfortable and hygienic environment for breastfeeding especially for mothers working in the tea farms.

This is an initiative by the Eastern Produce kenya (EPK) in partnership with County’s Department of Health and sanitation. It aims at providing a breastfeeding-friendly work environment for the female employees. Dr Yulita Cheruiyot congratulated the EPK for their concern and support for the female employees. She went ahead to encourage all other institutions to adopt such strategies that support and sustain breastfeeding as recommended by WHO.

Breastfeeding helps in improving nutritional status, growth and development of the infants . It also benefits mothers by preventing breast cancer, improved birth spacing as well as reduced woman’s risk of diabetes and ovarian cancer (Hansen, 2015). It therefore acts as the best approach in ensuring preventive and promotive health.

The CECM for Health and Sanitation, Ruth Koech, while speaking during the opening ceremony, said that the facility will greatly help in infection control due to its hygienic state and that mothers will get the comfort that is required in breastfeeding. She further added that the facility will serve as centre for training the nursing mothers on proper and hygienic breastfeeding practices.

Also present were the EPK Management and staff, Nandi hills Ward MCA Hon. Gideon Koech, County Nutritionist Angela Korir and Health teams from Nandi Hills sub county.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang on Thursday called on the Cabinet Secretaries for Interior and Coordination of National Security Dr. Fred Matiangi and Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Amb. Monica Juma to reign on rogue agencies that recruit Kenyan Citizens to work in foreign countries.

Speaking when he received a status report of Isaac Kiprotich from Kimngeru Sub location who returned from Qatar where he was stranded after his agent abandoned him, Sang said the Government should vet all agencies offering such services to weed out unscrupulous agencies who have turned the business into a slave trade.

Medical Officers from Kapsabet County referral Hospital accompany Kipngetich to the Hospital for further medical attention.

“I call upon relevant Government Ministries to move with speed and vet afresh all the recruitment agencies in the country to ensure that only the genuine ones are left”

Kipngetich, who was severely injured after he slipped while on duty, was hospitalized for about a month in a Qatar-based hospital
He arrived on Wednesday and was admitted at Kapsabet County Refferal Hospital for further treatment.

Governor Sang added that many youth have suffered and continue to suffer in the hands of slave traders who masquerade as agents of foreign companies.

“We are aware that many youths have suffered and fallen prey to such slave traders who fool them with non existing jobs in foreign countries. When they arrive in those countries, they are misused and made to work for long hours with less or no pay,” Sang said.

The Governor urged the youth to exercise due diligence and do background checks of the agencies before registering with them.

Sang disclosed that his administration was in the process of exploring ways to increase the Internship opportunities for the youth across the county as well as increasing procurement opportunities so that the youth can benefit from and reduce the numbers of those who are seeking employment outside the country.

“We will continue exploring ways of absorbing our youth through our internship program and also increase opportunities for them through procurement opportunities so that they do not have to travel abroad for jobs.”

Already, the County Government of Nandi has placed 250 youths on Internship program in the first phase with another 400 set to be absorbed in July. Additionally, procurement opportunities for the Youth, Women and Persons Living with Disabilities have increased from the Constitutional 30 percent to 50 percent.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 youths are looking for jobs in overseas countries every month due to the high unemployment rates in the country.