News Categories: Health and Sanitation

The County Government of Nandi through the leadership of Governor Stephen Sang is committed to improving healthcare to facilitate the realization of the Big 4 agenda.

County Health Officials and officers from the Governors Delivery Unit visited the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital to inspect the ongoing projects. These include the ongoing renovations at Nyayo wards, construction of the Doctor’s lounge, renovation of the kitchen, completion of the emergency area and walkways linking theatre, construction of an Oxygen plant, completion of the new Dental unit, the maternal triage area, piping of theatres, renovation of the rehabilitative department, OPD filter clinic and administration block.

The team later held a consultative meeting with contractors doing the works. It was resolved that all works will be completed in three weeks time to aid in he delivery of the much needed services at the facility.

Good health is a prerequisite for enhanced economic growth and poverty reduction and a precursor to realization of the TugaTai Big 4 Agenda. Further, the Constitution under the Bill of Rights, access to equitable healthcare is a right to every Kenyan.

Improving health service coverage and health outcomes depends on the availability, accessibility, and capacity of health workers to deliver quality people-centred integrated care.

Against this background, the Health Sector is re-positioning itself to fulfill the expectations of the Nandi people through improved health infrastructure and service delivery systems.

Principal Health Administrative Officer Philip Kogo addressing the new health staff

Earlier today, the newly recruited Medical Officers, Clinical Officers, Nurses and Pharmaceutical technologists were posted to different health facilities across the county to offer the much needed services.

Health facilities in Nandi County has received medical commodities  boost worth Ksh. 22m following the delivery of drugs to the county.

The consignment was received by Nandi Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot and the Health and Sanitation CEC Ruth Koech. The consignment will be distributed to health facilities across the County.

Nandi County Acting County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr. Francis Sang has made major changes affecting medical superintendents, clinical officers, nursing officers and hospital administrators in a move meant to enhance management of hospitals in the county.

The most notable change is that of the acting county director of health Dr. Joseph Kangor, who will now also act as the Medical Superintendent at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital.

The new Medical Superintendent at Kabiyet Sub County Hospital is Dr. Daniel Kemboi. He will also coordinate medicals services at Chepterwai sub county hospital. Dr. Kemboi has been the ADMS/MOH at Nandi hills hospital.

Former Kapsabet medical superintendent Dr. Shadrack Kemei will be a Physician at the Department of Medicine, Kapsabet county referral hospital.

Dr. Erick Terer moves to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital as a medical officer, department of medicine. He was the medical superintendent at Mosoriot sub county hospital as well as the MOH Chesumei sub county.

Benjamin Arusei is the new Clinical Officer Incharge, Kapkangani Health Centre.

Daniel Keitany has been moved from Kapkangani to Mosoriot as the Clinical Officer Incharge.

Isaac Korir moves from Kabiyet to Nandi Hills sub county hospital as the Clinical Officer Incharge.

The changes also will see Charles Kotut heading to Kabiyet as the Clinical Officer Incharge and tasked to establish an ENT Clinic.

Patrick Kenei will remain at Kapsabet County referral hospital as the Clinical Officer Incharge/Clinical Oncologist and also the In-charge Clinical Internship Program.

Susan Biwott becomes the new Nursing Officer Incharge at Mosoriot sub county hospital.

Esther Murgor is the new Nurse Incharge Maternity department at Mosoriot sub county hospital.

Asenah Tarus moves from Mosoriot to the Kapsabet county referral hospital as the deputy nursing officer Incharge.

The changes will see Keneth Kandie moving from Chepterwai to Kamasai dispensary, Caroline Bore from Nandi hills to Ol’lessos, whereas Anne Yego from Ol’lessos to Chemuswa. Judy Jepkemboi heads to Nandi hills from Chemuswa.

“The government continues to engage in reforms as it works towards fulfilling its mandate of saving lives and offering the much needed services to Nandi residents while at the same time creating a conducive working environment for our health workers,” said Dr. Sang while announcing the changes.

Meanwhile, changes have also been made within the hospital administrators.

Obed Limo is the new Hospital Administrator at Kapsabet county referral hospital. He was the administrator at Kabiyet hospital.

Nicholas Korir has been moved from Kapsabet to Mosoriot in the same capacity.

Zeddy Jelagat is the new administrator at Chepterwai sub county hospital. She has been moved from Mosoriot.

The changes have been termed as routine, only meant to enhance service delivery.

In the changes, Noah Lagat moves to Kabiyet from Cheepterwai.

Also moved in the changes are Judy Chepkoech, a CHEW at Meteitei sub county hospital who heads to Koilot Community unit in the same capacity as a CHEW. Kennedy Terer who is a dentist has been transferred from Meteitei to Kaptumo. Nicholas Terer, a physiotherapist moves from Meteitei to Nandi hills.

The changes takes effect immediately.

Present during the announcement were Dr. Paul Lagat, Chief Officer Medical Services and the acting director of health Dr. Joseph Kangor.

As the County Government of Nandi unites with partners worldwide in observance of World AIDS Day, the department of Health and Sanitation reaffirms its commitment to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nandi county and helping individuals who are positive with lifesaving treatment and services.

This years theme is “Know Your Status”. With the sub theme “Jijue Jitambue”. This is also an occasion to celebrate the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day – a pioneering global health campaign first initiated by WHO in 1988.

With early diagnosis, individuals can begin appropriate treatment and care resulting in better health outcomes. Receiving antiretroviral therapy as quickly as possible after diagnosis improves the health of persons living with HIV and can eventually lead to undetectable viral loads, which reduces the chance of transmission to others.

Health and Sanitation county executive member Ruth Koech says that her department remains fully committed to reducing HIV transmission. “We also take this day to recognize the crucial efforts of our partner organizations. Together, we have made significant progress, but there is still much we can do to ensure every Nandi resident knows their HIV status and to help people living with HIV/AIDS live long, healthy lives,” she added.

She was speaking in Mosoriot Medical Training College while leading Nandi residents in marking the World Aids Day 2018.

While noting the significant reduction in HIV prevalence in the county, the county executive member encouraged a multi-agency campaign to further scale down prevalence.

“I urge everybody to stand united to address a concern that affects us all because it will take the efforts of every individual,” said Ruth.

Participants at the World Aids Day celebrations

In an effort to reach the goal of zero new HIV transmissions and reduced HIV-related deaths, the department of health and sanitation is focusing on four key strategies:

√ Increasing community outreach and awareness about HIV, high-risk behaviors and the importance of knowing one’s status.

√ Implementing routine screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, especially among high-risk populations.

√ Providing immediate access to treatment for the newly diagnosed as well as retaining HIV-positive persons in the care system, with the ultimate goal of getting HIV-positive persons to an undetectable viral load.

√ Moonlighting

Present at the event were Sally Kemboi, Chief Officer Preventive and Promotive Services, Dr. Joseph Kangor, Acting Director of Health and representatives from partner organizations; NASCOP, WRP, KENPHIA, MWENDO and AMPATH.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has said his government is committed to improving service delivery to Nandi residents.

Speaking in Lolkeringet, Kabiyet ward during an inspection tour of a modern maternity wing under construction at Lolkeringet dispensary singled out the health-care sector as key under his leadership.

“We are upgrading Lolkeringet dispensary and elevating it to a health center with the intention of enhancing service delivery for the people. I am determined to ensure that our people get the best health care,” said Governor Sang.

The county boss outlined the strides his government has made in health sector since inception of devolution both in infrastructure and human resource.

The governor announced that the health sector has since improved country wide through provision of better services, equipping health facilities across the county, human resource through employment of doctors and nurses among others.

He was accompanied by Agriculture CEC Dr. Kiplimo Lagat, Lands CEC Stanley Baliach and Kabiyet ward MCA Hon. Walter Teno.

The Kenya Water Institute in partnership with Water Sector Trust Fund conducted a one week training to members of Nandi County Water Users Association.

The objective of the training was to equip the committee members with the neccesary knowledge needed for proper implementation of water projects.

Speaking during the closing session, CECM LENRCC Mr. Baliach thanked the facilitators for the initiative to empower the community on proper managerial skills on matters relating to water projects.

Areas of discussion included operational and maintenance concepts for water and Sanitation provisions, human resource management, water supply management, tarrifs
setting, water quality Standards, meter reading
installation and servicing among others.

Nandi County First Lady, Sheila Sang, has launched the Nandi County cancer awareness and screening programme.

Over 400 residents turned up for free cancer screening during the launch of First Lady cancer awareness campaign at Chemundu Dispensary, Chesumei Sub County.

The screening was done for breast, prostate and cervical cancer, which are considered to be the prevalent cases in the county.

Her campaign aims at sensitizing the public on the need to conduct frequent cancer screening.

The County First Lady called on Nandi residents to come out in large numbers and get screened for the disease.

“We will give cancer the attention it deserves,” Sheila said.

“Breast and cervical cancer does not just happen to ‘other’ women, ‘older’ women and is not one’s ‘fate’. Knowledge and access to screening can protect women and their families from suffering and loss,” said Mrs Sang.

Appropriate infant and young child nutrition is critical for proper growth and development. In order to promote optimal nutrition at an early age, the county government of Nandi in partnership with Nutrition International is holding a six day training that kicked off on Monday for link facility in-charges and CHEWs to capacity build them and hence cascade the same to Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and in return the CHVs train the community. Baby Friendly Community Initiative supports breastfeeding and optimal infant feeding in community.

Traditional beliefs and practices influences the way a mother feeds her infant in Nandi. Exclusive breastfeeding for any duration is one component of optimal breast-feeding that mothers in Nandi find difficult to practice. Thus, community participation is one of the strategies intended to promote exclusive infant breastfeeding.

The Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) strategy addresses issues of nutrition among mothers and children right to the community and one of the strategies is the Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) which compliments Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in maternity wards. Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative has proven to be effective in promoting optimal breastfeeding practices but due to the traditional beliefs, BFHI is being transferred to the community where most women deliver. Since even those who give birth in hospitals must return to their communities and homes to care for their babies. The implementation of Baby Friendly Community Initiative is yielding fruits in Nandi County.

Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) is a strategy that employs the principles of BFHI at the community level.

The Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) was developed to expand BFHI’s 10^th step, focusing on support for breastfeeding mothers after they leave hospital, which also provides an entry point to address the nutritional and developmental needs of both mother and child. BFCI also addresses environmental sanitation, personal hygiene and equity.

Late detection and referrals have been cited as some of the causes leading to early deaths among cancer patients in Nandi County.

Speaking during a medical cancer screening camp organized by the county department of health and sanitation in partnership with Apollo Hospitals, India, Dr. Kenei an Oncologist at the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, cited stomach, esophageal, and breast, cervical and prostate cancers as leading in the region.

“Cancer is treatable when identified at its initial stages. Most patients succumb because they show up when the disease reached unmanageable levels,” he stated.

He advised members of the public to ensure they take early initiatives to know their cancer status to make it cheaper to manage the disease.

“Cancer is a disease that affects all parts of the body apart from the hair and teeth,” said Dr. Kenei.

Dr. Stanley Kiptanui who accompanied Dr. Kenei appealed to all well-wishers to join hands in supporting cancer treatment and awareness initiatives. He noted that there was need for equipping all health facilities in the county with cancer screening apparatus to benefit everyone.

Dr. Kenei added that the county was studying on the main causes of cancer within the county so as to employ safety measures to control its prevalence.

A cancer survivor, Ms. Jane Koech described how she had lived with the condition for over five years, urging those with the disease not to shy away from seeking treatment.

“Things are better now that the government supports those suffering from the disease which is very expensive to manage,” stated Jane urging residents to ensure they take a health cover with NHIF to help them meet health care without much strain.

Ms. Jane cautioned community members against discriminating upon people suffering from cancer noting that they require both material and moral support.