“Save one life, you are a hero, save 100 lives you are a nurse” a statement that was echoed by the CEC member for health and sanitation Prof. Juddy Miguda Attyang and Mr. Ramesh Meta the chairman board of management of Jaramogi oginga Odinga teaching and referral hospital (JOOTRH).
The JOOTRH training school in partnership with the County government of Kisumu celebrated the inaugural graduation ceremony held this Friday the 15th of November 2019 at the hospital grounds. The inaugural graduation ceremony celebrated fifteen graduands presented with a higher diploma in Nephrology nursing.
The CEC member commended JOOTRH as an institution passionately committed to the provision of quality health services by ensuring equitable access to health and training services. She congratulated the graduands for showing great courage, focus and determination towards attaining powers to give hope to humanity.
According to Prof. Attyang the County Government has consistently released qualified staff through training in High Diploma in Nephrology nursing in partnership with the college of surgeons of Eastern central and southern Africa (COSCESA) and currently provides training in general surgery.
Mr. Ramesh Mate stated that the school is set for expansion as it strives to introduce many training programs to serve the region.
In his remarks, the chief officer Stephen Sewe promised to ensure more funds are released to the health sector following the health bill that is before the County Assembly.
All pomp and Color-marked the celebrations as the graduands of the first class of its kind took a nightingale pledge of service and as they received certificates of successful achievement.
The ceremony was graced by Prof. Attyang’, members of the hospital management board county officials and the well-wishers.
By Matilda Atieno
The JOOTRH graduating class of 2019 taking a nightingale oath during the graduation to mark their successful achievement in Higher Diploma in Nephrology nursing ( Photo by Jacob Owiti)
The county health department in collaboration with partners rolled out the HPV vaccine to be offered to girls 10 years of age in eleven public health facilities and outreach to schools targeting 35000 girls across the county.
The Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) that cause cervical cancer treatment will be available and free in all public immunizing facilities kicked off in October with the official launch in Homabay County. Nine girls from Kibuye primary school were the first to receive the vaccine during the launch at Kisumu County referral hospital.
The County department of health launched the process of introducing the HPV vaccine into the routine vaccination program to reduce the burden due to cervical cancer in the county.
Speaking during the launch, the chief guest and also the director of health Dr. Dickens Onyango stated that the HPV vaccination to girls before exposure is one of the sure ways to achieve protection against cervical cancer adding that each girl will be vaccinated with 2 doses of HPV vaccine given at an interval of six months apart as an injection on the upper right arm.
“The vaccine will be offered as part of the routine immunization schedule in health facilities and through targeted school outreaches.” Said Dr. Onyango.
The launch follows the successful roll-out of the HPV vaccine training activities that have been cascaded to sub-county stakeholders meeting, training of health providers and micro-planning and sensitization meetings for teachers.
Stakeholders present lauded the introduction of the vaccine stating that it is effective and has been independently evaluated and licensed for routine immunization programs noting that cervical cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths in women in Kenya.
By Matilda Atieno
Girls of age 10 years from Kibuye primary school receiving HPV vaccination during the launch of the introduction of the vaccine at Kisumu County Referral Hospital
Kisumu County has partnered with health stakeholders to form a multiparty organization to upgrade equipment to conduct all types of cancer screening.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral and Teaching Hospital (JOORTH), Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET), Blue Cross Kenya, Mp Shah and Duke Hospital have come together to form Cancer Alliance to help fight the cancer menace.
2nd of October, JOOTRH cancer center hosted the launch of the alliance that was kicked off with a walk dubbed “Hope Beyond Cancer walk,” flagged off by Mama Kisumu County, Mrs. Dorothy Nyong’o from the County Headquarters through to JOOTRH.
Mama Kisumu who was the chief guest said that the stakeholders have decided to come together to slay ‘the giant’ by making cancer screening services available everywhere for free, adding that the decision to focus on prevention as the foundation block of cancer, will enable access to treatment and relatively easier and cheaper to contain.
“With the availability of cancer screening services, people from Kisumu County will not need to travel to Nairobi or abroad to get tested and treated, imagine how many lives we can save if we create awareness to everyone,” she said.
Kisumu being one of the piloted counties for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), is determined make health services available to everyone including free screening for all types of cancer and most importantly, sharing information about cancer to help in developing new diagnostic to better treatments that increase survival and improve quality of life for cancer patients.
Mama Kisumu also mentioned that Kisumu has partnered with Harvard University to set up a comprehensive Cancer Center which will bring the best treatment and services to people all over the region. She encouraged residents to embrace Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which is set for mass vaccination, administered to girls aged 10 years old, stating that this will help eliminate cervical cancer.
Residents were also urged to avoid eating genetically modified food which is one of the primary causes of cancer and that exercise, organic food, a clean environment and enough sleep would help kick out cancer.
The objective of the cancer alliance is to accelerate cancer care locally by addressing the multi-level barriers to improving cancer care and to ease the disease burden in the region.
By Wendy Chloe
Mama Kisumu Dorothy Nyong’o together with Executive Director KMET Kenya Ms. Monica Oguttu joined the procession towards the launch of Kisumu County Cancer Alliance
Shortlisting of COs and Directors
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As the world marked World contraception day, Kisumu county took the celebrations to Katito Sub County hospital in Nyakach to recognize the annual event celebrated on the 26th of September.
The 2019 celebrations themed “It’s your Life, it’s your responsibility, know your options” begun with a procession that was flagged off by The County Sexual Reproductive health (SRP) coordinator Jane Owuor as residents joined the procession from Rang’ul dispensary to the Sub County hospital in Katito.
The world contraception day was marked by pomp and color as residents committed to the idea that family planning is possible and that all young people can have access to the contraceptive care they need, regardless of who they are or where they live.
The choice to host the event at Katito was informed by the fact that Nyakach has the highest number of teenage pregnancies rated at 31% followed by Muhuroni at 30%, Nyando at 26.5%, Seme at 23.5% as the rest of the three sub-counties, Kisumu west, east and central are below 20% (DHIS2 2018-2019).
In her speech, Jane Owuor who represented the County director health as the chief guest stated that teenage pregnancy, abuse of the emergency contraceptives, unplanned pregnancies deaths and access to contraception remains a key concern to residents.
Ms. Owuor was optimistic that the county health department has strived to promote sexual reproductive health in collaboration with development partners in the reproductive health, adding that last year more youth-friendly centers were launched across the county and that the department is looking forward to additional centers this financial year.
The deputy SRP health, Mr. Jackton Okeyo emphasized the need to use family planning methods and that contraceptives are incredibly safe.
World Contraception Day is a day where people and organizations from around the world come together to advocate for affordable and accessible contraception.
By Matilda Atieno
World Contraception day 2019 celebrations held at Katiti Sub County Hospital
Kisumu County is set to introduce the world’s first HPV vaccine to girls of age 10-13 years in October 2019.
The HPV mass vaccination of girls in primary schools is set for the official launch on 2nd October and thereafter the kick-off of to provide girls in schools with free shots of the vaccine against cervical cancer following the disease burden experienced in the county.
Currently, the health department is conducting sensitization and mapping exercise of primary schools who are the targeted group in all the seven Sub Counties.
During the county stakeholder’s engagement forum for malaria vaccine (MVIP) and HPV Vaccine implementation program, it was announced that the mass vaccination will be carried out across the county to target girls in public facilities including hospitals and primary schools.
According to County nursing officer, Jane Raburu confirmed availability of the vaccine and that the side effects are not unique to other vaccines. She also emphasized that health is a right and that the county intends s to carry out HPV vaccination as an intervention to cervical cancer.
Cancer of the cervix is the fourth most common cancer affecting women worldwide and the second most common in lower-income regions. According to WHO HPV is the only cancer that is almost entirely preventable through a safe, effective vaccine and screenings.
The World Health Organization- WHO recommends HPV vaccination for girls. The vaccine is most effective when given early in adolescence between the age of 9 and 14 years – before girls are exposed to the virus.
The standard age target according to WHO is 10-14. However, Kenya has preferred to carry out immunization of girls aged between 10-13 who will be issued with an immunization card to show evidence of vaccination.
“When children aren’t vaccinated at the recommended time, they’re left vulnerable to getting cancer that could be prevented,” says Dr. Florence Akech
Vaccination against cervical cancer is given on time to protect preteens long before exposure to the virus hence the need to offer HPV vaccine by giving two injections at an interval of six to twelve months.
County stakeholder’s engagement on HPV Vaccine Implementation program
The world’s first malaria vaccine has been initiated in 5 sub-counties in Kisumu including Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kisumu Central Muhoroni and Seme sub-counties.
Kenya added the malaria vaccine to its routine immunization schedule for babies, becoming the third African country to roll out the vaccine following the malaria disease burden that threatens children across the country targeting about 120 000 children per year and 360000 children across the continent.
Kisumu is one of the 8 selected introduction Counties in Kenya, others are Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga and Kakamega counties. Within the eight counties, some sub-counties have introduced the vaccine into immunization schedules while others are set to introduce the vaccine later.
The county health department announced that the 3-year malaria vaccine implementation program that targets children aged between 6 months to 2 years, kicked off on the 17th September 2019 in all public health facilities within the 5 Sub Counties, living out 2 Sub Counties, Nyando and Nyakach.
Speaking during the county stakeholder’s engagement forum for malaria vaccine (MVIP) and HPV Vaccine implementation program on Thursday this week, Mr. Chris Odero Researcher on MVIP PATH Kenya clarified that the 2 Sub Counties were randomly left out after conducting a computer-based random selection. However, the selected Sub counties for implementation will inform action towards implementation of the malaria Vaccine in the remaining Sub Counties.
Other criteria used was the malaria disease burden, immunization coverage as well as functionality of the malaria interventions.
The county malaria coordinator, Lilyana Dayo emphasized that the vaccine will be administered to children through routine immunization and that the vaccine will be provided alongside other vaccines. Lilyana Dayo reaffirmed that the vaccine is safe adding that it offers an additional form of protection against malaria when used with other interventions.
The vaccine is provided in 4 dosage routine with the first dose administered at 6 months, the second dose at 7 months, the third dose at 9 months and the last dose at 24 months. However, children who have exceeded 6months but below one year can be administered with the first dose following the dosing schedule.
The MVIP takes advantage of other immunization programs as a patient will be offered with a sticker to record scheduled dosage.
According to Jeremiah Ongwara of County health promotion, the department have put in place rigorous messages and media information campaign to ensure that the public is sensitized on the new vaccine. Mr. Ongwara dismissed negative assertions that are meant to deter the implementation of the vaccine.
The forum also presented the mass roll-out of girls aged 10 to 13 years against cervical cancer-causing Human Papilloma Virus through the HPV Vaccine set for October this year. Stakeholders present were urged to share the information with residents on the benefits and importance of the vaccines.
By Matilda Atieno
County stakeholder’s engagement on Malaria Vaccine and HPV Vaccine Implementation program
Kisumu has envisioned a County in which all individuals and persons living with disability (PWD) in the communities have the opportunity to reach their highest potential in all sectors.
Recognizing that gender is a variable in support of human development, County government of Kisumu strive to localize measures being taken to improve gender relations by promoting men’s understanding of their familial and social roles in family planning and sexual and reproductive health issues.
The gender analysis dialogue held at Ahero in Nyando Sub County, brought together key stakeholders including, state and county gender officers, Sub County health workers, education officers, teachers and the business community to deliberate on family planning as a component of Reproductive and Maternal Newborns Care and Adolescent Health (RAMNCAH) with development of male engagement focusing on disability as one of key recommendations and action points to clearly help define strategies of reaching male clients and partners for reproductive health-related services through multi-sectoral collaboration.
The meeting organized by Afya Halisi, a USAID program in collaboration with County directorate of gender and health department provided an opportunity for brainstorming on male involvement in health matters.
Traditionally, health care providers and researchers in the field of reproductive health have focused almost exclusively on women when planning programs and services. However, efforts have been made to broaden men’s responsibility for their reproductive health as well as male involvement in reproductive health for female partners living with disability.
According to director gender Adah Omedi, the enactment of Kisumu County Persons with Disability Act (2016), which recognizes health, norms, economic empowerment, roles and relations as key determinants of the well-being of PWDs across sectors, provides for the rights and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Mrs. Omedi stressed that Disability is a gender issue and that Kisumu county is recognized as the first county to ratify the Disability Act of 2016.
“Due to the higher vulnerability to health concerns, PWDs have the same health needs as every other member of the population, including immunization, screening, sexual and reproductive health, and all other aspects of regular healthcare.” Said Mrs. Omedi.
Health is a disability rights issue, which is why Article 25 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sets out the normative framework which should govern disabled people’s access to healthcare. More importantly, is sexual and reproductive health (SRH) which is an essential component of health and a pillar for sustainable development. However, there is good evidence that the SRH needs of people living with disabilities have been neglected for decades because of the widespread view that they are not sexually active.
While it goes without saying that people with disability have equal rights to sexual and reproductive desires and hopes as non-disabled people, society has disregarded their sexuality and reproductive concerns, aspirations and human rights.
The 2 day training recommended special efforts that will emphasize men’s shared responsibility and promote their active involvement in responsible parenthood, sexual and reproductive behavior including family planning; prenatal, maternal child health; prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV; prevention of unwanted and high-risk pregnancies; shared control and contribution to family income, children’s education, health and nutrition; recognition and promotion of the equal value of children of both sexes.
Discussion of health needs of PWD should take into account improved technologies, health and social care that are increasingly available to people with different impairments.
The team also suggested that male responsibilities in family life must be included in the education of children from the earliest ages adding that Special emphasis should be placed on the prevention of violence against women and children.
The above challenge calls for more intense efforts to foster partnerships between men and women which help men identify with the magnitude and range of reproductive illnesses which affect women.
By Matilda Atieno
County Director Gender, Youth Affairs and Persons Living with Disability, addressing the workshop on family planning as a component of RAMNCAH with development of male engagement focusing on disability at Ahero Multipurpose
Kisumu County, department of health being cognizant of the growing mental health challenges in the community, organized a one day planning meeting, focused on having a coordinated approach to mental health service provision from the County to community level.
The deliberations of the meeting held at the County health boardroom was to draw proposals that would guide in coming up with a County Mental Health Plan, outlining the necessary structures and frameworks to be used in the said service provision.
The participants of the meeting comprised of stakeholders from the County Officials, faith based and traditional healers within the County.
Mr. Jeremiah Okuto addressing stakeholders during the mental health stakeholders meeting at the county health boardroom (Picture by Jacob Owiti)
Kisumu County Director of Communication Ms Atieno Otieno addresses participants at a mental health stakeholders meeting (picture by Jacob Owiti)