Governor Nyong’o today officially launched the Covid – 19 communication centre with a toll free number 0800 720 575 at the Maseno University plaza.

It is the very first Covid-19 Call Centre set up and managed by a devolved government and the second after the National Call Centre in Nairobi, set up by the County in partnership with Maseno university and Pharm Access

While giving his speech during the event, the Governor stated that the communication Centre will not only be a channel for relaying to the public real time information on the pandemic status in the County, information on prevention and clinical strategies but will also be key in linking the public with the health surveillance teams to enhance contact tracing which is key in minimizing community infections.

The Centre will also be significant in monitoring the pandemic trends and the management operations deployed; public perceptions, beliefs and misconceptions in consultation with the public health officers to determine how to address them and provide psychosocial support to distressed callers.

The Governor reiterated that since the breakout of the pandemic in the country, 100 samples from 152 suspected cases have been tested with all returning negative results.

82 of the tested being males and 18 females. 34 of the tests were conducted from cases from our Isolation centres and 66 from the quarantine facilities

He equated the zero situation in the county to hard work that should not and has not resulted in complacency and emphasized on continued aggression into preventive activities including awareness resulting into positive behaviour of safe social distancing, hand washing, wearing of face masks and staying at home.

“Our primary goal as a government is to prevent the emergence and transmission of the COVID-19 within the county” said the Governor.

Professor Julius Nyabundi on his part, thanked the Governor for choosing Maseno University to be the call canter and that they look forward to be part of the control and management of covid 19 by keeping it away and not lock it up.

He called on the government to consider the sustainability of the centre after the pandemic to facilitate the locals on knowledge and facilitation on health services awareness creation.

He called on the members of County Assembly to put politics a side and support the Governor in mitigating the disease that is affecting the people who elected them to be served by them.

Maseno University has volunteered medical students of 5^th and 6^th years of study to work in the call center.

Madam Natalie of Pharm Access foundation said they are grateful to be associated with the initiative that will benefit residents of Kisumu County.

Pharm Access has also partnered with the county on a number of services including M- tiba bulk SMS platform, IEC materials, free transport for mothers who want to access health services during curfew among others.

The Speaker of the Assembly Hon. Elisha Oraro said the assembly is coming up with regulations to manage the pandemic in a week’s time. Currently they are still collecting views from the public since it is a collective responsibility.

The Governor also received 1,500 washable face masks and 1,058 hand sanitizers from KMET and 135,000 litters of hand sanitizers from Kenya  breweried limited.

Also present during the event were: CEC Cooperatives and Marketing Professor Judith Attyang’, CEC Energy and Industrialisation Mr Nerry Achar, Dean of school of Medicine Maseno University, Professor Ogendo, Dr George Rae, Majority leader of the County Assembly, MCA Millimani market, Hon.Seth Kanga, MCA Railways Ward Hon. David Arao among other dignitaries.

Maseno University dean of faculty of Medicine Prof Orando (left) takes Governor Anyang Nyong’o and Maseno VC Prof Julius Nyabundi through the operations of the Covid-19 response centre soon after it was commissioned today at the Maseno Varsity plaza

Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o calls the Covid-19 response centre’s toll number 800720575 soon after the commissioning of the centre

Governor Nyong’o receiving a donation of 120 boxes of sanitizers from Kenya Breweries Divisional Manager Mr Robert Obat (right).

Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o this morning received 30 beds donation from the Abysinia Iron and Steel Company limited at the Lumumba Hospital in Kisumu.

The Governor while giving his remarks, thanked the donors for their generous act of offering beds and free oxygen, saying it came at a critical time when the County is making preparations for any eventuality of Covid 19 spread and also a time when an appeal for support towards management of the pandemic through the County Covid 19 Support is being spearheaded by Kisumu County Social and Economic Council (KECOSO.)

He reiterated that Plans are on course to make Lumumba Hospital a 70 bed capacity quarantine Centre, in addition to the 128 at KMTC and 200 at KCRH.

Currently, five bed holding capacity centers have been set up at the county hospitals namely: Ahero, Kombewa, Pap Onditi, Chulaimbo and Muhoroni.

The JOOTRH Intensive care Unit (ICU) is also undergoing expansion by 16 bed capacity from the current 13 beds. It is intended to have a 29 bed capacity at completion although the acquisition of ventilators  is a challenge.

“So far we have had 50 tests done in Kisumu, 18 from the isolation centers and 32 from quarantine centers which have turned negative” Governor reported.

He further stated that surveillance has been intensified with screening at the borders not letting anything to chance. The Sunset Hotel has also been set up to accommodate health workers who will be handling emergent cases to reduce exposure to their family members and Victoria Hospital as an isolation center for the health workers.

The Governor also took a swipe at politicians who want to use such critical situation for selfish interests to desist from confusing the public.

The Governor was flunked by his Deputy Dr. Mathew Owili who called on to business community and well-wishers to donate toward cushioning the vulnerable in the community. He also appealed to residents of Kisumu to adhere to the basic hygiene measures of keeping social distance, wearing masks in public places and washing or sanitizing hands regularly.

Also present were: City manager Dr. Doris Ombara, Chief Officer Public Health Mr. Joseph Okweso, Mr. Patel from Abysinia company ltd., Director  Public Health Mr. Fred Oluoch, Lumumba Hospital Superintendent Dr. Obiero among other top county officials

Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o giving his remarks when he received bed donationfrom Abysinia Company Ltd at the Lumumba Hospital in Kisumu

Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o flunked by his Deputy Dr. Owili, thanking Mr Patel from Abysinia Company for their donation at the Lumumba Hospital, Kisumu