Chief officer health and sanitation Dr. Gregory Ganda during the breakfast meeting for sensitization on Kisumu county health Act 2019

The county government in collaboration with KMET today conducted a sensitization forum for health management team on the Kisumu county health Act 2019 during the breakfast meeting held at Accacia hotel.

The forum was graced by the County chief officer for health and sanitation Dr. Gregory Ganda who commended the facilitators and participants for taking time to deliberate on the Act and for the support offered by KMET Kenya.

The Act aims to raise awareness about the role of the county government in advancing the right to health and improving the conditions to living healthy, by encouraging a better understanding of the health workers on the role of the county health department, on how to improve the health of the population and to encourage the county government to advance the right to health.

The Act which commenced on the 20th of December, 2019 addresses health issues in the following sections including; county health systems, health facilities, access to health services, public health,health financing, human resources, training, research, and data management, community health services and other miscellaneous provisions.

The framers of the Act are cognisant of the primary health care, mental health and the health needs of the PWDS which is a plus of the Act.

The meeting was facilitated by the legal counsel county assembly of Kisumu Mr. Bill Otieno Omondi and Mr. Muinde Dominic.

At least 90,000 vulnerable families within Kisumu County will now be able to access free medical services following the launch of a new Medical Insurance Cover dubbed “Marwa Kisumu Solidarity Health Insurance Scheme” by the County Government.

The County Government through Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o this morning presented a cheque of Kshs. 67.5 million to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) which will execute the scheme on its behalf.

The 67.5 million is expected to cover some vulnerable 45,000 beneficiaries in the first quarter of the scheme. The Marwa Kisumu Solidarity Health cover strictly tailormade for families who for one reason or the other are unable to make contributions into any medical insurance scheme will cover a total of 90,000 vulnerable families across the county starting with 45,000 and later roll out to 90,000 in its second quarter.

Speaking at the launch and unveiling of the scheme’s logo, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o said the realization of the medical cover marks a great milestone in the fulfillment of the promise he made to the people of Kisumu during his campaigns to provide accessible and affordable healthcare for all.

“This unique program will ensure that the most deserving population have access to affordable and quality healthcare at all levels of healthcare delivery particularly the public sector”. The Governor said

Beneficiaries of the medical scheme will now have access to quality, affordable and timely healthcare and will start accessing both inpatient and outpatient care under the NHIF SupaCover benefits package at 45 public health facilities spread across the seven sub counties.

He reported that the county government has invested significant resources to improve on health infrastructure across the county including the modernization of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in order to improve on its services.

“For this to work, we must ensure that our human resources and facilities within the public health delivery system are not only good but of very high quality”. Nyong’o said adding that his administration is focusing on a more holistic approach to reduce cases of hospital visits by continuously strengthening primary healthcare through investments in preventive and promotive healthcare.

He called upon all the relevant stakeholders to work closely with NHIF and help resolve issues surrounding it for improved services.

NHIF CEO Dr. Peter Kamunyo congratulated Governor Nyong’o for committing to support the vulnerable saying it a move that will steer the county towards achieving universal health coverage.

Dr. Kamunyo also mentioned that the ongoing reforms at the National Fund will ensure the previous bottlenecks experienced by members will soon be history.

“The team will work hard to ensure that members have access to quality accessible care and at the same time remain transparent and accountable to the people of Kenya”. He said

He commended JOOTRH for leading the public facilities in terms NHIF reimbursements.

Kisumu County Assembly Chair for the Health Committee Hon. Vincent Jagongo called upon the executive to ensure that the Kisumu County Health Bill is implemented fully so as to realize a productive county.

The Governor was accompanied by his Deputy Dr. Mathew Owili, County CEC for Roads Dr. Joyce Osogo, Members of JOOTRH Board of Management led by the Chair, among other County Officials.

By: Nancy Juma

Kisumu County carried on with advocacy on handwashing through demonstration of handwashing techniques and distribution of sanitizers and soap to mark the global handwashing day on the 15th of October 2020.

To commemorate global handwashing day, the county health department in collaboration with partners including, WSUP, Practical Action, Care Kenya, SWAP and KIWASH distributed hand sanitizers, liquid and bar soap, targeting schools, markets and vulnerable population including Omens market, dunga beach, Kasawino, obunga and kibuye market.

The 2020 global handwashing day themed “Hand Hygiene for All” is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives especially in a pandemic.

This year’s celebration presents important opportunities for Kisumu to capitalize on the handwashing message throughout the pandemic and pledge to work towards a partnership to help support advocacy efforts on hand hygiene.

The COVID-19 pandemic provides an important reminder that handwashing with soap and clean water is one of the simplest, most effective ways to stop the spread of coronavirus and germs.

Speaking during the official opening of the Global handwashing day marked at Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH), The chief Officer for health Mr. Alphonse Ouya echoed the Importance of ‘hand hygiene for all and a more important habit to adopt to prevent Covid-19, other viruses, bacteria and germs that spread when we fail to wash our hands with soap and clean, running water. “Observing the global handwashing day is a priority particularly during this pandemic to help contain the spread of COVID-19,” said Mr. Ouya.

On his part, the county director for health Mr. Fred Oluoch explained why hand washing is important, especially at key times such as after using the bathroom, when preparing food, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

The hand washing day focused on highlighting the facts on defeating the virus and to ensure better health outcomes beyond the Coronavirus pandemic which is a blunt reminder that one of the best ways to stop the spread of the virus is hand hygiene.

The County public health officers demonstrated the hand washing technique starting with wetting hands with running water and then apply soap to cover hands. Once done, scrub all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing them thoroughly in running water and drying the hands by raising them in the air to avoid germs spreading from the upper arms.

Residents of Kisumu County joined the global community in commemorating the International Contraception Day (WCD) that is celebrated annually on 26^th September around the world.

The event focuses on the vision of a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth celebrated and accounted for and where women, babies children and adolescents survive thrive and reach their full social and economic potential.

The commemoration was presided over by the County Director for Public Health Mr. Fredrick Oluoch representing the CECM for Health, Prof Boaz Nyunya, at St. Benedict Nyang’oma Sec School in Muhoroni Sub County.

This year’s theme is “maintaining family planning services during Covid-19 pandemic, while marching towards sustainable domestic financing for family planning” with the mission to improve awareness on contraceptive methods so that all men, women and the young people around the world can make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

In his speech, the County Director for Public Health, Mr. Fredrick Oluoch said that the county government of Kisumu has prioritized Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in line with the governor’s manifesto among the priority interventions, for improving maternal and child health outcomes and improving access to quality family planning services.

He confirmed that the county is working to improving access to quality family planning services in line with Covid-19 guidelines adding that on 12^th August 2020, the County launched the Kisumu County Costed Family Planning Implementation Plan (FPIC-2019-2023) in partnership with KMET and other stakeholders.

In addition, the county ‘s health department has disseminated the Kenya Covid-19 reproductive, maternity, newborn child, adolescent health (RMNCAH) guidelines which will provide a practical guide for the continuity of reproductive, maternal, newborn and family planning care and services in the background of Covid-19 pandemic.

 Kisumu County residents were urged to continue adhering to the Covid-19 containment measures to help curb the spread of the virus in the county as Mr. Oluoch lauded all the partners for their continued support in the delivery of the Reproductive Health Services and activities in Kisumu County.

The county government is working to increase awareness on the access to family planning services on the adolescents and the youth, while also striving to reduce sexual gender-based violence in the County.

Special appeal was made to the health care workers taking care of Covid-19 patients to exercise extra care on themselves to avoid contracting the virus.

Mr. Bernard Kigen who represented the National Council for Population and Development reiterated that they intend to ensure that family planning information is received by everyone in need of it. Sentiments echoed by the County Reproductive Health Coordinator Ms. Jane Owuor, who urged all pregnant mothers to attend antenatal care services so as to reduce maternal deaths which she said is still on the rise in Kisumu County as well as eliminating complications related to the same.

 Ms. Jane also cited the need to reduce teenage pregnancies by creating awareness for the teenagers on the benefits of family planning adding that at least 16% of pregnant women who visit health care facilities are teenagers.

The partners were: Marie Stopes International, ADS Nyanza, KMET, Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa (NAYA), Afya Halisi, Sustainable Rural Initiative, Make Me Smile Kenya, Kisumu Progressive Youth and Sexual Reproductive Health Alliance Kenya.

Also, in attendance were:Nyang’oma Masogo Ward Administrator Mr.Apollo Lucy,Muhoroni Sub County MOH Rosebellah Amihanda, the Deputy Principle St.Benedict Nyang’oma Sec School Mr.Okal, Health Representatives from Muhoroni Sub County  and Seme Sub County together with  members of the local community.

By Jackline Apondi Omondi

County Public Health Director, Mr. Fred Oluoch in the company of MCA Hon Steve Awiti during a media brief on Mental health gaps meeting at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu ( photo: Emily Mikwa)

The county has glaring mental health limitations as revealed by the findings of a study on the status of mental health policy, rights, financing and service delivery in Kisumu 2019.

Some of the gaps highlighted included: lack of mental health policy framework, under staffing of mental health practitioners, inadequate financing of mental health services and infrastructure such as beds, a case in example where KCRH only has 30 beds, among others.

This was brought to the attention of the participants during a stakeholders mental health meeting convened by TINADA youth organisation at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel.

The aim of the meeting was to disseminate the research findings and to introduce Imarisha Mental Integrated Initiative project to the stakeholders in Kisumu.

Being cognizant to the facts of the study, the chairperson of budget committee at the County Assembly Hon. Steve Awiti stated that as members of the assembly, they are committed to enact the mental policy framework once the proposal is presented to the Assembly and that in the current financial year they appropriated 1.5million for the same and would not hesitate revising it upward come FY 2021/22 budget. Sentiments echoed by his counter part Hon. Seth Owuor chairing the health committee.

While addressing the media, Public Health Director Mr Fred Oluoch, noted the existence of such gaps and stated that currently the county has brought in additional two psychiatrists from Maseno university to improve the services.

He reiterated that the health public unit is focused on reviewing the policy to capture mental health services and to ensure the formation and operationalize the secretariat and the technical working group.

on infrastructure he promised to have improvements for better service delivery. He however requested for another research on the same post Covid 19 that will give an informed data before implementation of the current findings

In an effort to improve the mental health services, it was resolved that all the partners to pull together in implementing the recommendations in the study.

Since health is a devolved function, it was discussed that the CHWs be roped in to handle the cases at the grass roots not forgetting the non conventional healers such as the herbalists and faith based healers.

The facilitators brought on board included: Beryl Arogo from TINADA, Mr Dancan Omondi TINADA, Mr. Sospeter Mumbo TINADA, and Mr. Jeremiah Okuto County mental health coordinator .

The meeting was graced by participants drawn from different organizations, CBOs, CSOs, and Institutions.

By: Emily Mikwa

 

Health CEC member Prof. Boaz Nyunya togther with Dr. Monica Oguttu Executive Director Kmet unveils the Kisumu County FPCIP 2019-2023 (Picture by David Wadulo)

The health and sanitation department today unveiled the Kisumu County Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan (KCFPCIP) 2019-2023 in a function that was convened in partnership with KMET and stakeholders in support of the FP service delivery commitment.

The first KCFPCIP launch is a bold commitment in support of county reproductive health programs that are set to ensure that family planning is integrated into relevant sectors. The FPCIP is a roadmap to articulating and guiding the who, what, when and how much it takes to achieve the 2019- 2023 commitment.

It is also a great stride in creating increased access to reproductive health, improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of reproductive maternal newborn child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) service delivery to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Speaking during the launch, the CEC Member for Health Prof. Boaz Nyunya welcomed the document adding that the department purposes to enhance the reproductive health status of the people by increasing equitable access to reproductive health services, improving quality, efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery at all levels.

Most importantly, Prof. Nyunya pointed out areas of concern including addressing the burden of unintended pregnancy among women of reproductive age, improving access to quality family planning services and aligning to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a priority. To realize this, CECM confirmed that the county signed a memorandum of understanding with NHIF which will see 45000 household indigents benefit from the UHC.
“If properly implement the family planning program can enable the county to achieve development goals including improved maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS…” Said Prof. Nyunya

The CFPCIP is a 5-year actionable road-map designed to help Kisumu County achieve its family planning goals that can be realized through the department’s commitment to increasing the total contraceptive prevalence rate in the county. It is developed to address the country’s family planning programming needs as it provides a clear picture of the financial resources needed to reach FP2019-2023 goals.

In her address, the Executive Director of KMET, Dr. Monica Oguttu, acknowledged the critical role of CIPs in transforming family planning commitments adding that FPCIP is a preventive measure that will help prevent most maternal deaths.

Jane Owuor the County Reproductive Health Coordinator indicated that the CIP is an advocacy tool that will help in raising the visibility of family planning in the county provided that family planning is integrated into relevant sectors, in both service provision and advocacy.

The chief Officer Health and sanitation, Dr. Joseph Okweso and his Director Mr. Fredrick Oluoch also echoed their commitment and support of the document, promising to ensure its implementation across the county.

By Matilda Atieno

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Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has praised Kisumu for its comprehensive Covid-19 preparedness.

Addressing the Nation from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital today, Mr Kagwe said that besides Covid case management preparedness, Kisumu was operating a successful fully digitized Covid-19 Response Call Centre, which he described as the only one of its kind in the country.

Mr Kagwe praised Governor Anyang Nyongo over high level of cleanliness in Kisumu City. “Kisumu is beautiful, clean and well planned. I thank Prof Nyongo for this great job. You Kisumu people are lucky to have him as your Governor,” said Mr Kagwe who was accompanied by his education counterpart, Prof George Magoha.

Mr Kagwe had earlier visited Kemri/CDC research at Kisian which is the COVID-19 testing centre for the whole region and later toured the Kisumu Covid-19 Response Call center at Maseno University, City campus.

“Kisumu is far ahead of the pack in Covid-19 preparedness. I challenge other counties to borrow a leaf. We have learnt a lot today,” said the CS. He was particularly happy that Kisumu has trained and sensitized over 2400 healthcare workers and 2900 Commumity health workers on how to handle Covid-19 patients on Home Based Care as well as security personnel including police officers manning the county’s 12 border crossing points on a 24-hour basis.

Prof Nyongo said Kisumu’s success story was due to good working relationship between the County, the National government and political leaders.

Kagwe also recognized the gains accrued from the cordial partnership between Maseno University and Kisumu county, that saw the establishment of the Covid-19 Response Call Centre and the CovidConnect or Luscii App, a digital platform for self-assessment of coronavirus symptoms.

CS Kagwe who was on a fact finding tour to appraise himself and Ministry about the County’s preparedness to manage and mitigate Coronavirus infections also used the opportunity to release the daily National government Covid-19 Situational Report.

In today’s briefing, the CS said that the current cumulative number stands at 26,436 with the country having registered 599 new infections and two mortalities. He however noted that the last 24 hours has also seen 1,062 recoveries, the highest ever recorded bringing the total recoveries to 12,961. 983 of those recoveries were recorded from home based care fortifying success of that strategy.

The function was attended by Ag.Director General of Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, Deputy Governor Ochieng Owili, County Commissioner Susan Waweru, Mps Aduma Owuor, Shakeel Shabir, Jared Okello and James Nyikal.

By. Kodera Ager

photo by: Lenox Omondi