Kisumu county is set for a major boost in the health sector through the 4th neuroscience medical camp scheduled to run from 17th – 27th June at the Jaramogi Oginga odinga Teaching & Referral hospital (JOOTRH).
The Kisumu neuroscience initiative founded by Governor Nyong’o and Dr. Victor Awuondo, a neurosurgeon based in central Ohio and who is also of local descent is aimed at making JOOTRH a centre of Medical excellence.
The Kisumu neuroscience medical camp will cost over 15 Million Kenya shillings with the County government of Kisumu having channelled over 5 Million shillings in pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals towards the project.
According to the hospital management statistics, 33% of the total surgeries done at the facility are neurosurgical in nature with 402 cases done in 2019.
Speaking during the opening of the ten-day medical camp, the hospital CEO Dr. Peter Okoth said that the camp was focused on neurosurgery, training, research and human resources development, adding that the exercise is intended to benefit over 85 patients drawn across the region with some coming from as far as Eritrea.
Dr. Okoth also acknowledged Governor Nyong’o led administration for giving health a priority and for mobilizing local and international partners who give services towards the course.
In their remarks, the medical specialists through their representatives Dr. Victor Awuor, A Columbus based Neurosurgeon and Dr.Robert M Galler appreciated the opportunity to work with the County government of Kisumu and were looking forward to working around the clock to improve the conditions of the patients and hinted on plans to educate and start a Neurosurgery training programme in Kisumu.
The medical camp hosts a 20-member team of medical experts including Surgeons, Surgery assistants and students from USA.
On the other hand, patients hoping to be beneficiaries of the exercise were grateful to the County government, the hospital management and the medical experts for giving them a chance to undergo the process and said that they were looking forward to improved health as the procedure is costly cost. However, the patients are covered under NHIF and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) thus a reduced cost of treatment to the beneficiaries.
By Jack Rachuonyo
Edited by Matilda Atieno
20 neurosurgeons and neurologists are in Kisumu for a neuroscience medical camp at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Teaching Referral Hospital.
The medical experts from Central Ohio will be performing the highly specialized procedures from 17th to 27th of June 2019 covering about 80 patients who have been screened and booked.
This is part of the Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative started by Governor Nyongó and Dr. Victor Awuondo, a neurosurgeon based in Ohio but with local descent and is aimed at making JOOTRH a centre of medical excellence in the region.
The cost of the procedures expected to be in excess of Kshs. 15 million will be subsidized by the County Government that will contribute over 5 million in pharmaceuticals, non-pharmaceuticals and equipment while the specialists will offer their expertise pro bono.
Kisumu Neuroscience Initiative was conceived to fill the gap existing in this country of 50 million and with only 20 neurosurgeons and whose costs are also prohibitive to the common citizens. The Initiative plans to hold the camp four times a year. The first camp was held in March this year with 31 patients treated.
The camp focuses on managing traumatic brain injuries, tumours and other neurosurgical conditions.
As part of positioning Kisumu as a regional centre for medico-tourism and JOOTRH a centre of medical excellence, the neuroscience initiative will be holding a Neuroscience Symposium on the 21st and 22nd June.
The international event is the first of its kind in Kenya that will bring together neuroscience specialists from around the world.
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A team of surgeons headed by Dr. Victor Awuor performing a neurosurgery on one of the patients with a displaced spinal disc at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. ( Picture By Jacob Owiti)
Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr. Mathew Owili joined the Catholic Archbishop, His Grace Philip Anyolo in flagging off the 6th edition of the Mater Heart Run held at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground.
The charity event held annually in the Month of May, attracted hundreds of participants as revelers flocked Kisumu Sports ground to support the drive organised by Mater Hospital.
The exercise that kicked off at 7 am took place simultaneously in cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Machakos with an aim to continually raise money for purpose of funding financially disadvantaged children in desperate need of cardiac surgeries.
In his address, the Deputy Governor assured the Mater hospital of the County government’s support in advocating for healthy, lifestyles, sentiments echoed earlier by their Governing Council, Dr . Peter Igogo.
Dennis Oluoch from Kisumu took the honors after winning the 10 km Heart race.
County Directors Kenneth Otieno & Aloice Ager were among the participants present alongside other officials from the Mater Hospital.
A similar race took place in Nairobi being presided over by legendary Marathoner Kipchoge Keino.
By: Collins Owuor and Mikwa Emily
Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr Mathew Owili and the Arch Bishop, His Grace Bishop Anyolo flagging off the 6th edition of the Mater Heart Run held at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground.
Hundreds of Kisumu residents turned out to mark the Mater Heart led by Dr. Mathew Owili and His Grace, Arch Bishop, Philip Anyolo at the Kisumu Sports ground
The 3rd national UHC conference Kisumu aimed at reviewing and taking stock of implementation, innovation and thought of the 4 UHC Pilot and the Non pilot counties, with the ultimate goal of optimally improving the health, lives and livelihoods of people.
Participants drawn from all over the 47 counties convened to discuss the UHC status in Kisumu County in comparison to other Counties and global best practices to arrive at the idea mode of defining and implementing UHC.
Leaders present at the conference challenged the health sector of corruption which they said is a leading impediment in the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country.
While addressing the press, Governors, Dr. Mohammed Kuti of Isiolo, Dr. Alfred Mutua of Machakos, H.E Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri and deputy governors, Caroline Wanjiru Karugu of Nyeri County and Dr. Mathew Owili of Kisumu reiterated the need for medical equipment’s and flow funds to the counties.
In his address, Governor Dr. Kuti emphasised the need to strengthen health facilities stating that laboratories in various facilities have been neglected.
Governor Mutai Kahiga re-emphasised the need to stamp out corruption in the health sector as his counterpart Dr. Alfred Mutua stating that there is need to safeguard gains in UHC adding that the success of UHC can be achieved through a multi-sectoral approach.
The 3 days’ conference was attended by representatives of the senate and Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o who joined the participants on day three.
Governor Nyong’o called on the need for continuous education of the medical officers saying that community health workers should be given opportunity for continuous learning to improve on their skills. The governor also proposed the need to have a commission that will look into health issues in the country.
In his remarks, Senator, Mutala Kilonzo Jnr, strongly pointed out that it is important to have world where human beings become first “we don’t have to choose between food and healthcare” Said Senator Mutula.
The senators condemned the current Medical equipment’s scheme, which according to Senator Alfred Outa and his counterpart, nominated senator for Kakamega County Naomi Shiyonga said is a curse rather than a blessing to the counties.
The conference brought out lessons that will be used to design or redesign the optimal path for the delivery of UHC in Kenya.
By Matilda Atieno
Governor, Dr. Mohammed Kuti of Isiolo County and his counterparts, Prof. Paul Chekwony of Kericho County (3rd Left), H. E Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri County (3rd Right), Dr.Rashid Aman CAS Ministry of health (Left) Kisumu County deputy governor Dr. Mathew Owili ( Second Right) and his Colleague Caroline Karugu (Extreme Right) addressing the press at the 3rd National UHC Conference Kisumu. (Photo by David Wadulo)
An all inclusive UHC model ,Kisumu county governor Hon, Peter Nyongo’ shares a light moment with participants.Photo by; David Wadulo
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED IN KISUMU COUNTY AT THE END OF THE:
3RD UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE CONFERENCE, MAY 17, 2019
We, the delegates from national and county governments, parliamentarians, private sector, civil society, faith-based health providers, youth advocates, media, health professionals and community representatives attending the third Universal Health Coverage Conference from May 15th – 17th, and comprising more than 800 participants;
Convening under the Theme: “Revitalizing primary health care for sustainable Universal Health Coverage” by drawing lessons from the four counties implementing the National Government UHC pilot program (Nyeri, Machakos, Isiolo and Kisumu), and other county led UHC initiatives (Makueni, Laikipia and Kitui) and having shared experiences and strategies on how Kenya can attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC); resolve as follows under the banner – KISUMU UHC DECLARATION;
1. That there be a clear Universal Coverage Policy to guide National and County Government roles in the implementation of service delivery
ACTION: National and County Governments
2. That focus be given to strengthen household, village councils and community healthcare systems as part of accelerating primary health care delivery.
ACTION: County Governments
3. That referral systems be strengthened to link households to community health units and health facilities for appropriate utilization of services through adoption of Kisumu county’s “hub and spoke model”.
ACTION: National and County Governments
4. That a UHC financing model be developed taking into account a mixed pooling of existing insurance schemes, active purchasing of services through tax finance approach and opportunities for innovative community financing schemes.
ACTION: National and County Governments
5. That procurement and supply of health products and technologies be subjected to free market enterprise and adequately regulated for safety, efficient and timely deliveries.
ACTION: National and County Governments
6. That adequate investment be made for the training, deployment, management, leadership and governance of healthcare workers at all levels.
ACTION: National and County Governments
7. That the services of Community Health Workers be institutionalized, and their training based on a defined curriculum to empower them to adequately be part of primary health care at the village level with proper remuneration.
ACTION: County Governments
8. That the ongoing NHIF reforms be accelerated and comprehensively concluded to make it responsive to achieving the UHC agenda and the devolved health services.
ACTION: National and County Governments
9. That appropriate technology be identified and integrated as part of the benefits package in delivering Universal Health Coverage.
ACTION: National and County Governments
10. Enact appropriate legislation to facilitate flow of funds to health facilities for efficient service delivery.
ACTION: National and County Governments
11. That Public Private Partnership arrangements be initiated to provide opportunities for better coordination of Universal Health Coverage.
ACTION: National, County Governments and Private Sector.
12. That collaborative framework between government and faith based organizations, civil society organizations and citizen initiatives be strengthened for efficient and accountable utilization of resources for Universal Health Coverage.
ACTION: National, County Governments, Faith based organizations and civil Society Organizations.
A pharmacists at Oren health center in Nyando sub-county confirms syrup content prior to dispensing.Picture by Jacob Owiti.
by Lorraine Anyango.
Medicines used to treat chronic disease have been taking a large proportion of total volume in the health facilities in Kisumu County in the last four months.
It’s further expected that chronic disease medicine volumes will increase dramatically if continued access is provided under the Universal health care program.
This is according to a recent medicines situation report submitted by the County Pharmacist dated March 18th 2019.
The chronic disease medicines are regularly provided and used for the lifetimes of individuals who need them.
Additional problems of affordability that faced people living with chronic diseases due to the lifelong nature of treatment and the frequent need for combination therapy have been reduced and nearly eliminated since the launch of the UHC pilot program in the county.
Pre- UHC pilot program, was characterized with low availability of medicines in the public sector, and patients were often forced to purchase some of the essential medicines in the private sector. This has however changed. High medicine prices were largely responsible for increase the cost of treatment.
During the same period, Kisumu County decided to decentralize their procurement process in an effort to meet local needs through increased local involvement, accountability and flexibility.
Kisumu County has shifted from push to pull distribution systems thereby creating the need for health facility data for distribution planning and ordering.
Under UHC, Kisumu country was allocated 510 Million shillings for health products and technologies and basic equipment.
Even with this allocation, Kisumu County department of health has faced challenges when attempting to address the medicines supply gap.
The challenges arises due to the county level budget for procurement of health products for primary health care not being maintained, so as to complement support from the national government.
Kisumu county government owes KEMSA a total of Ksh 77,526,555.98 in unpaid invoices for essential medicines and medical supplies delivered to Kisumu county health facilities, even though KEMSA has made efforts it may not always manage 100% fill rate.
Essential medicines and medical supplies that were supplied at the inception of UHC pilot have been used by most facilities well within the period ending 14th March 2019 with some stocks still in place although a few of the facilities have reported stock outs of some of the commodities.
KEMSA, however, failed to supply some essential medicines up to date, and these have been stocked out in nearly all the facilities. The most significant ones include ceftriaxone 1g injection, albendazole 400mg tablets, nifedipine 20mg SR tablets, chlorhexidine digluconate 7.1% for cord care, benzyl penicillin 5mu inj, phenobarbitone inj. and ampiclox 500mg capsules.
“There’s need to budget for county level procurement of stocked out medicines since such a situation is bound to occur again.” Dr Lawrence Otieno the County pharmacist notes.
Pharmacy workforce shortages constitute a major capacity limitation to the provision of pharmaceutical services and access to medicines in Kisumu County. The county currently has 46 pharmacists and 35 pharmaceutical technologists against a minimum requirement of at least 70 pharmacists and 190 pharmaceutical technologists.
“Recruitment of additional pharmacy workforce should be considered when developing medicines policies and pharmaceutical services and integrated into broader human resources for health strategic plans.” Dr Otieno adds.
The relative contributor to the county burden of disease of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, is relatively is huge in Kisumu county. The implications for the delivery and use of pharmaceuticals are profound.
However medicines for HIV/AIDs, TB and malaria drugs are supplied by the national government through KEMSA free of charge to the county. Whereas antiretrovirals and TB medicines are supplied on monthly basis, antimalarials and family planning commodities are supplied on quarterly basis.
In February 2019, the Health Information Systems department at the Ministry of Health introduced data sets for reporting of tracer essential medicines and non-pharmaceuticals onto the DHIS2. Kisumu county department of health is keen to embrace the usage of this reporting platform as it will give a clear visibility of the medicines availability across the county health facilities. Consumption reports from the month of March going forward will be submitted through DHIS2 rather than excel based emails.
Analysis of consumption is complicated by the diversity of commodity management systems used by health facilities. The need for more comprehensive information system is particularly acute in low level health facilities especially those that do not have trained pharmaceutical personnel.
As the county shifts from the Excel based reporting to the DHIS2 platform for reporting of tracer commodities, there’s need to support the sub county pharmacists to adequately tackle the challenges involved with reporting.
#informing kisumu
Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o today launched the much awaited stipend for community health workers (CHWs), a program that is set to boost Primary Healthcare in Kisumu East.
The program is aimed at promoting the wellness of community members by enabling accessibility, inter-sectional collaboration, health promotion and community participation.
In his speech Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, urged Kolwa community members to make use of the local health facilities served by the community health workers. This follows the benefits accorded to the CHWs during the launch.
About 2500 healthcare workers have each received a stipend of Ksh 2000 per month back dated from January 2019 and NHIF cover of Ksh 500 registration. The Governor, mentioned that the national government has set aside 45M to support CHWs across the country.
Speaking during the launch, the County Minister for Health Dr. Rosemary Obara congratulated the CHWs for their unfailing hard work to ensure that community members are at their best in terms of health care. She cited the progress in the health sector, reminding residents of the new theatres available in the sub counties, promising that Gita health centre and Nyakach sub county hospital are set to receive theatre services soon.
The CHWs received their payment in form of a cheque back dated from January, bicycles to facilitate their movement in their line of duty as well as the computer for electronic data recording.
A similar exercise was simultaneously carried out in Nyakach Pap Onditi sub county hospital, steered by the Deputy Governor, Dr, Mathew Owili.
By Benter Anyango
Edited By Matilda Atieno
Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o presents a cheque of Ksh 2,490,000 to Kisumu East Community Health Workers as their three months’ stipend. He also distributed bicycles to ease their transportation in the villages
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili undergoes a screening session during the launch of Community Health workers stipend at Pap Onditi Hospital,Nyakach Sub Count
