Kisumu is set to introduce malaria vaccine across the county as an additional intervention to other existing malaria control measures following the introduction of the vaccine in Kenya.
During a workshop that brought together stakeholders at the Vic Hotel in Kisumu, the County malaria unit plans to implement the malaria vaccine exercise in the county.
According to Fredrick Oluoch, Kisumu East Sub County Malaria Coordinator, Kenya joined two other African countries Ghana and Malawi, who are already implementing the vaccine in the continent. The vaccine is the first ever malaria vaccine to be introduced by World Health Organization (WHO).
Mr. Oluoch stressed that the Malaria vaccine provides additional intervention to other existing malaria control interventions in Kenya and should be used together with other existing malaria intervention as it provides partial immunity.
The Vaccines targets older children between 5 -17 months of age and infants receives the vaccine together with other routine childhood vaccines at 6,10 and 14 weeks of age. Mr. Oluoch also emphasized the need to for children to receive all other vaccines to protect them from other illnesses.
The other interventions are regular use of mosquito nets which is the most effective method in malaria case management, testing and treating at hospitals, community case management for malaria at households’ level through community health workers, use of indoor residual sprays and use of malaria prophylaxis.
He noted that children are at high risk of malaria due to the fact that they still lack immunity(protection) against malaria.
The vaccine targets around 360000 children in Kenya per year and will be of public health impact given the large number of malaria cases in children it will avert.
Kisumu East Sub County Malaria Coordinator,Mr.Fredrick Oluoch, making a presentation during a stakeholders workshop in at the VIC hotel
A bout 30 new cancer cases are reported monthly at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) indicating very high incidences, this is according to report by the health directorate, following the current intervention strategy programs and services put in place to increase screening among undeserved populations in Kisumu.
It is on the basis of the rising cases of cancer that the Counties First Ladies Association (CFLA ) in partnership with Roche, Women 4 Cancer and Africa Cancer Foundation visited JOOTRH earlier this week in a fact finding mission intended to establish the facts and circumstances of the cancer scourge in eight counties, including, Kisumu, Makueni, Bungoma, Kakamega, Meru, Laikipia, TaitaTaveta, and Nakuru.
Mama Kisumu, Dorothy Nyong’o played host to H. E Nazi Kuvutha together with the partners who pledged commitment to support the fight against cancer through implementation of an Enabling and Motivating Partnership Owned by Women to Engage and Reclaim their lives (EMPOWER).
On their tour to Kisumu’s JOOTRH, the partnership sought to understand facts, challenges and recommendations towards Cancer intervention strategies that will inform the EMPOWER project which seeks to contribute to the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment with standard care and education of women in the community on cervical and breast cancer.
Speaking during stakeholders meeting that brought together, Radiation Oncologists, oncology nurses, specialist and county health officials, H.E Nazi Kivutha of Makueni County expresses her commitment towards the fight against cancer through establishing EMPOWER projects in the Counties in order to prioritize cancer care and treatment as well as strengthening the health care systems for treatment in the counties.
In her remarks, Mama Kisumu pledged support from cancer diagnosis to availability of treatment, adding that in order to kick cancer out of Kisumu, screening must be perfected through treatment.
County First Ladies, H.E Nazi Kivutha of Makueni, Mama Dorothy Nyong’o of Kisumu togethet with CEC member for Health Prof. Judith Attyang’ taken through breast cancer screening process.
In observance of the August annual World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the County health department in collaboration with the Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) organized the celebrations at KMET Complex Railway ward, Kisumu central Sub County.
The 2019 WBW theme “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding,” encourages exclusive breastfeeding and promotion of improved health for babies. The theme aims at championing for gender equitable parental social protection, parent-friendly workplaces in both formal and informal sector and parent-friendly values and gender-equitable social norms to advance breastfeeding.
Speaking during the event County Minister for Prof. Judith Attyang noted that there are barriers to creating an enabling and supportive environment for women to breastfeed. Prof. Attyang called on public private partnership to promote the importance of family-friendly policies to enable breastfeeding and help parents nurture and bond with their children in early life, when it matters most.
“Concerted actions are thus needed to coordinate actions to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.” Said Prof. Attyang. The County minister applauded KMET for supporting breastfeeding mothers through the launch of the lactation center.
KMET executive director, Dr Monica Ogutu encouraged young mothers to give children the best start in life through exclusive breastfeeding, adding that increasing breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and children alike as well as decreasing the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
During the event, the County Nutrition Coordinator, Rael Mwando appreciated this year’s theme for having addressed women’s productivity and employment while underscoring the health Act 2017. Madam Mwando also emphasized the need to have work place lactation centers adding that this will ensure productive workforce as a result of less absenteeism, increased loyalty and staff turnover.
August 1st to 7th WBW, the World Health Organization, (WHO) actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children. According to WHO, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
Access to a parent friendly workplace to protect and support their ability to continue breastfeeding upon return to work by having access to breastfeeding breaks; a safe, private, and hygienic space for expressing and storing breast milk and affordable childcare.
The 7-day celebration is to inform the public on parental social protection and breastfeeding while anchoring on parent-friendly values to support breastfeeding. The WBW also seeks to engage individuals and organizations to advance breastfeeding by galvanizing action on gender-equitable parental social protection.
By Matilda Atieno
County Minister for Health and sanitation, Prof. Judith Attyang issuing gift packs to breastfeeding mothers during the annual world breastfeeding week held at KMET Complex in Kisumu
Demonstration on the correct breastfeeding position
County Nutritionists led by Rael Mwando encouraging young Mothers on the importance of breastfeeding
Pupils of Kolwa Central ward, Kisumu East Sub-county had a reason to smile following the commissioning of new ECDE classrooms and furniture to Four centers including Oyolla, Ragumo, Kunya and Mbeme.
A total of 200 chairs and 100 tables were officially handed over to the Centers in an event presided over by County Minister for Education, ICT and Human capacity building, Dr. Obiero Ogone.
This is in line with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s agenda on Education which is keen on improving ECDE centers across the County.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Ogone emphasized the department’s commitment to improving education standards and assured teachers and parents on the plans to construct more ECDE centers across the County. The County Minister also assured the ECDE assistants on the plans to review their terms of service.
The area MCA Hon. George Olwa promised to allocate more ward development funds towards education.
Ag. County Director for Education Madam, Magret Apondi restated the mandate and priority areas of the Directorate, which include infrastructure developments, community sensitization and providing ECDE learning materials.
Madam Apondi also stated that the directorate is committed to ensuring successful Education sector in Kisumu.
By Matilda Atieno
County Minister for, Education, CT and Human resource capacity building Dr. Obiero Ogone (center) flunked by Kolwa central MCA Hon.George Olwal ( right) and Ag. Director ECD. Madam, Magret Apondi during the commissioning of the ECDE class rooms (David Wadulo)
The annual 2nd term Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA), National games kicked off today in Kisumu with Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili joining Nyanza Education Director Richard Chepkawai in flagging off the championship at Moi Stadium.
Kisumu Day and Nyakach girls will represent the County as the hunt for new champions begins in the football and volleyball categories. Nyakach girls will open their account against Karugwa as Kisumu day take on newbies Ebwali.
The games will be played out at Kisumu Day and Kisumu Boys with more than a hundred participants lined up ready to be crowned champions.
Dr. Owili was joined by County Ministers,
Richard Ogendo, Dr. John Ogone,Protocol Director Bob Madanje, County government officials among other representatives from Coca Cola and the KSSA.
Winners of the U-16 football games will represent the country at the African championship as other category winners proceed to Tanzania for the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSA) in Arusha.
By Collins Owuor
Midfield battle as rival players sweat it out in the opening game of the KSSSA term 2 games ( picture by Collins Owuor)
The 2019 Kisumu ASK show has hosted major exhibitors from the County government, showcasing and demonstrating a number of products and services in Early childhood Education (ECDE), vocational training, gender and youth affairs.
Under the theme “Promoting innovation & technology in Agriculture and trade” the County Department of Education, ICT and Human capacity development is currently showcasing their programs and products in the annual Kisumu ASK show’ set to run through to the 28th of July at Mamboleo show ground.
The Ag. Chief officer Rosemary Otieno stated that the move is set to promote the departments programs and services to establish business relations and to market products by the County Vocational Training Schools. “The show is also a great way to network with other industry members and grow client base.”
The exhibition expects to generate opportunities for the vocational training programs, Gender and youth affairs to access the larger Kisumu consumer market.
By Matilda Atieno
Showcasing products made by the Vocational Training students at the Annual Kisumu ASK show
Showcasing products made by women and youth groups at the Annual Kisumu ASK show
On 18th July 2019, the first-ever forum focusing on health workers convened with a series of actions to deliberate on Human Resources for Health in the county.
The Human Resources for Health (HRH) Kenya which is USAID Kenya funded project convened an engagement forum which brought together county human resources for health stakeholders with the aim of strengthening health systems for improved health outcomes in Kisumu.
Speaking during the official opening of the forum, the Ag. Chief Officer Health and Sanitation, Mr. Stephen Sewe appreciated the IntraHealth International for the implementing of the HRH, a project that has help the health department to identify gaps in the health work force. Mr. Sewe noted that the HRH Kenya mechanisms has helped the County in keeping track of its health workforce and has informed decisions on human resources for health management.
The Chief Officer also acknowledged that the data generated from the system has enabled the county human resources for health in managing payroll clean up thus controlling the wedge bill.
The series of actions laid out by County health medical officers’ representing the 7 sub counties was geared towards deepening the understating of HRH Kenya work among key County stakeholders, disseminate key HRH Kenya best practices through various knowledge products and to create a strong rapport between the mechanism and to its partners including county governments.
In his speech, the representative from the HRH Kenya, Mr. Tervil Okoko was regretful that despite implementation of Universal health Coverage (UHC), the health workforce has only recently started to receive attention.
As a UHC pilot County, Kisumu has a deficit of about 76% of health workers (County HRH data), thus the need to keep track of the size and composition of the health workforce and formulate plans for future needs for HRH.
According to Mr. Okoko, evidence -based health workforce policies are essential to ensure the provision of high-quality health services that support the attainment of UHC, adding that the achievement of health-related SDGs and UHC remains conditional on the existence of a health workforce that is well-planned, deployed and appropriately managed and supported to meet population needs.
Mr. Akoko who represented the Chief of Party Dr. Wasunna Owino was sure that the USAID-funded HRH Kenya mechanism remains committed to its partnership with the County in improving and strengthening the HRH systems for improved health outcomes through support towards: sustainable interventions that increase the number of market-ready health workers, improving quality of pre-service training, Improving the management and leadership of health workers through the adoption of good HRH practices, encourage exchange of learning and information sharing with other county governments and key stakeholders, and Institutionalize the optimization of data use for effective HRH decision-making.
HRH Kenya celebrated County leadership for their commitment and support of the HRH work council committee and for taking a step further to employ more health workers to respond to the demands of the UHC implementation.
The Forum was the first of its kind to be held among the HRH Kenya project counties is Kenya.
By Matilda Atieno
Ag. Chief officer for health Mr. Stephen Sewe giving official opening speech during the county engagement forum on Human Resources for Health ( Pictures by David Wadulo)