Kisumu School Aged Deworming Exercise Targets 390 Thousand
By Matilda Atieno
County Health Promotion Coordinator Mr. Jeremiah Ongwara during the school deworming exercise
- Published in Health
Governor Visits Medical Camp
As the world celebrates World Cancer day, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and Mama County Dorothy Nyong’o toured Ober Kamoth sub-county hospital in Kisumu west on the second day of the ongoing Free Medical Camp which includes cancer education and free cancer screening.
The governor encouraged residents and beneficiaries of the program to show up for treatment and cancer screening. He also interacted with some of the patients and volunteer doctors as he went around the facility.
Area residents are streaming in large numbers waiting to be attended to. Lillian and her fellow students from Nyang’inja Secondary School said, “We should have more of these camps, at least two to three-yearly as it makes access to cancer screening easier.”
Another resident Rose Akinyi brought the daughter with fungal infections and was grateful as she was finally able to treat her, something she couldn’t do before due to financial constraints.
More residents are expected to show up in the next two days before the camp moves to Nyakach at Nyamarimba Hospital
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o visiting the medical camp at Ober Kamoth in Kisumu West sub county
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o in the company of Mama Kisumu among other medical practitioners at the medical camp in Ober Kamoth hospital during the World cancer day
County Government of Kisumu and USAID Signs an MOU
Governor, Professor Nyong’o and USAID Mission Director, Mark Meassick today presided over the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a joint commitment to Kenyan – led development in Kisumu County, at the Acacia Hotel in Kisumu.
The MOU reflects the shared vision on devolution among the two countries, focusing on meeting the needs of the people.
It provides a framework on how the County and USAID will transact business together including aligning activities, plans and budgets, designing new programs and priorities, monitoring and evaluating programs, working jointly to counter corruption and protect the beneficiaries.
The County Assembly Speaker, Hon. Elisha Oraro said the move will steer development across all sectors, hence enabling environment is key to any development. He promised to work on the required legislation to support the move going forward.
The Nyando Member of Parliament Jared Okello said the MOU is a vision that will steer the County to greater heights. He called for a concerted effort to find a seed variety that fits the soil in Ahero, and a rice milling plant in Nyando that will put an end the exploitation of farmers by brokers.
Speaking during the event, USAID Mission Director Mark Meassick said the MOU puts to an end the foreign aid and it transforms the trade relationships among the public, civil society and private sectors to generate opportunity for all Kenyans and to accelerate self-reliance.
“The United States Government is shifting the way we work. We want our programs to be co-created, co-implemented, and co-measured to address problems and solve them at the County level,” reiterated the Director.
He further explained that USAID will develop a five-year plan to resonate with the MOU, where resources will be channeled directly to the County government.
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o on his part lauded the move by the USAID, that will spur transformation both in the fields of agriculture and health where the needs of the people are paramount.
He reiterated that the MOU will provide opportunity and the ability to respond to the needs of the people through the established village councils who are mandated to deal with the maintenance of access road, monitoring sand harvesting activities that messes the environment, family healthcare and health preventive measures within the village.
Besides the MOU will provide ready markets locally and internationally for the local products, and it is against this back drop that the County plans to revive the growing of BT cotton and to do value addition to the Ahero rice to stop exploitation of local farmers by the middlemen.
Also, in attendance were the County Executive Committee Members(CECMs) for: Finance and Economic Planning Mr. George Okong’o, Agriculture Irrigation, livestock and fisheries, Mr. Gilchrist Okuom, Health and Sanitation, Professor Judith Attyang’, The County Legal advisor, Mr. Idris Omondi, City Manager Doris Ombara, Majority leader for County Assembly Hon. Kenneth Odhiambo, County Chief Officers, among other invited guests who also welcomed the initiative.
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o and the USAID Mission Director, Mark Meassick signing the MOU, looking on are the Nyando MP, Jared Okello and the legal advisers for the two leaders.
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o and USAID Mission Director, Mark Meassick holding the signed MOU
The leaders pose for a photo after the signing of the MOU
- Published in Agriculture, Health, News Item
Medical Camp for Specialized Care in Kisumu West
Hundreds of residents thronged into Ober Kamoth Sub-County hospital for specialized treatment in the ongoing 4-day medical camp that kicked off yesterday through to the 6th of February 2020.
The medical camp in its third-year running is supported through a partnership between County Government of Kisumu, Bridge to Health foundation, Africa Cancer Foundation and SNAR foundation with attention to medical care on hypertension tension and diabetes, Cancer Screening, Eye Care and Dental care.
With a team of 60 specialized doctors and medical officers, the residents from the young to the elderly men and women receive free specialized care and medication, as well as a visual aid in cases of eye care.
The outreach is intended to bring services closer to the community to ensure primary care through early detection and prevention a practice that is set to be continued in the community through the trained community health workers.
The large number which turned up to seek the medical services offered by the visiting doctors demonstrated a story of hope to the community, as all of the patients were so patient waiting for their turn.
The medical camp is currently on its second day, as the world marks its annual Cancer day today the 4th of February 2020.
In the spirit of Universal healthcare (UHC), Mama Kisumu, Mrs. Dorothy Nyong’o urged residents to come in their numbers for the reason that the medical care is an opportunity that has brought health care closer to the community, adding that Kisumu being a pilot county on UHC the extension of the outreach with the focus on primary care aims at achieving UHC.
According to the Lead operations and founder of SNAR foundation Dr. James Randiek, the outreach expects to attend to all patients. ” the turnout is good; we expect to attend to 600 people per day for 4 days.”
The 2020 medical camp is set for two locations, in Kisumu west at Ober Kamoth Subcounty hospital and another 4 days in Nyakach at Nyamarimba health center starting 7th through to 11th February.
Mr. Fredrick Oluoch, County public health director assured residents of specialized care and that referral paths have been put in place for all referral cases to JOOTRH and Kisumu County Referral Hospital.
The medical camp is intended to support rural residents who have disproportionately face numerous barriers to accessing quality healthcare services with the primary goal of offering free specialized health services directly to rural populations in their communities and as a way of covering the financial costs associated with transferring patients to hospitals
By Matilda Atieno
Mama Kisumu Dorothy Nyong’o interacting with patients as they patiently a wait for treatment offered by the visiting doctors ( Picture by Jacob Owiti)
Engaging County Front-line Health Workers in Managing PPH
Kisumu County is the first beneficiary of the Living Labs project supported by PATH to engage and motivate front-line immunization health workers to increase coverage and make a significant contribution to maternal health following implementation that is set for rollout in public health facilities across the county.
Access to reproductive health in Kisumu county has expanded since the introduction of UHC, however, gaps in outcomes of care remain a challenge. The gaps include maternal mortality which is a high burden in the service delivery.
Recognizing these gaps, PATH Kenya through Living Labs project in partnership with Kisumu County Health Department held a workshop intending to strengthen the motivation and engagement of frontline immunization workers on postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).
In his official remarks, the County Director for Public health and Sanitation Mr. Fredrick Oluoch appreciated the efforts made to deal with PPH which contribute to maternal mortality. He lauded the workshop supported by the Living labs project for the pending solutions that work within our facilities in Kisumu.
The County maternal health service coordinator, Ms. Jane Owuor noted the challenge of maternal mortality in the county due to PPH, adding that the team looks forward to working with PATH to ensure women survive labor.
Postpartum hemorrhage is a common cause of maternal deaths, thus the need to engage the health workers through the Human-centered Design approach to come up with the most effective strategy to PPH. The officers resolved to ensure active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL) to reduce the risk in maternal health.
The deliberations noted barriers in managing PPH as the major cause of maternal mortality, the barriers included the duration for the referral process and lack of motivation of the front-line workers. They also noted that PPH is beyond the service provider and asked that the health management team ensure service delivery.
The workshop brought together medical officers and health workers from the sub-county facilities, County referral hospital, JOOTRH, and County government health officers.
By Matilda Atieno
County Director for public health and sanitation Mr. Fredrick Oluoch giving opening remarks during the Living lab project workshop
Cervical Cancer Screening
The County government of Kisumu supported by Mama Kisumu Dorothy Nyong’o and in partnership with International Cancer Institute (ICI) Eldoret is currently holding a two-day FREE Cancer screening starting today the 24th to 25th of January 2020 at the JOOTRH and Airport health facility.
The two days cancer screening is supported by EMPOWER in partnership with County Government of Kisumu, County First Ladies Association Roche and Africa Cancer Foundation with the aim of advocating and encourage screening among women and to reduce late diagnosis of cervical cancer in Kisumu.
Mama Kisumu urged all women in reproductive age to take advantage of the two-day medical camp organized to commemorate the annual global Cervical cancer marked in the month of January.
“Every woman needs to get checked every year, on your birthday give yourself a treat by going for screening.” Said Mrs. Dorothy Nyong’o. In addition, Mama Kisumu encouraged ladies to take advantage of the screening, stating that cervical cancer is preventable if detected early. “What better news is there if not that you can be free of it if you get checked.” She added.
Dr. Peter Okoth also noted that JOOTRH center of excellence is looking forward to main stream screening clinic to strengthen the system.
The CEO emphasized that the two days screening exercise is set to sensitize the community and to promote screening among women in Kisumu adding that the screening is available every day in all health facilities across the county.
Kisumu has higher rate of cancer majorly due to HIV prevalence thus regular screening among residents is encouraged.
Mama Kisumu was also joined by the, Chief Officer County Health and administration Mr. Alphonse Ogik Ouya and Monica Owuor Non-Communicable disease coordinator.
By Matilda Atieno
Mama Kisumu, Dorothy Nyong’o sensitizing women on the importance of undergoing cervical cancer sreeening at the JOOTRH in Kisumu
The Proposed Construction of Kisumu Comprehensive Cancer Centre
THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF KISUMU COMPREHESIVE CANCER CENTRE
TENDER NUMBER: CGK/H&S/JOOTRH/19-20/001
The County Government of Kisumu desires to engage the services of suitably qualified and experienced Building Contractors for the construction and completion of The Proposed Kisumu Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
Click the link below to download the Tender Document:
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
Tenderers are required to submit copies of the following MANDATORY DOCUMENTS / REQUIREMENTS which will be used during Preliminary Examination to determine responsiveness
- Certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation/registration certificate.
- Certified copy of VALID Registration Certificate with the National Construction Authority in the class 7 (Seven) and above.
- Certified copy of VAT and PIN registration,
- A Certified copy of VALID Tax Compliance Certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA),
- Bid bond – 2% of the tender sum for general tenders,
- Certified copy of RECENT CR12 FORM from registrar of companies.
- Certified copy of Single Business Permit preferably from Kisumu County.
- Bidders shall SEQUENTIALLY SERIALIZE ALL PAGES for each tender document submitted failure to which the bidder shall be disqualified.
- Bid declaration for special category duly signed and stamped
Certification must be by a commissioner for oaths.
- OTHER REQUIREMENTS
As specified in the tender documents covering the following
- Eligibility.
- Similar previous experience.
- Current workload.
- Plant and Equipment holding.
- Professional and technical personnel.
- Audited financial statements for the last three years (2015 – 2017) provided. Companies registered within the last one year should submit certified bank statements for at least twelve months or the duration of registration
- Litigation history or Current Sworn Affidavit.
Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
The interested bidders/tenderers may/can download a set of tender documents with detailed specifications and Bills of Quantities from the website kisumu.go.ke free of charge.
International Building Contractors are encouraged to bid.
Completed Tender Document(s) in sealed envelopes, bearing no indication of the name of the firm bidding with the contract number & name clearly marked on top should be deposited in the tender box located at the County Government of Kisumu, 2nd Floor Wing B, Prosperity House (Huduma Centre) adjacent to Central Bank of Kenya addressed to the:
The County Secretary
County Government of Kisumu,
P.O. Box 2738-40100
Kisumu.
so as to be received on or before 5th February, 2020 at 11.00A.M
Task Force on mental health public participation in Kisumu
The task force for mental health today held a public hearing attended by members of the counseling and psychology professionals, organizations, civil society, residents from Kisumu and its neighboring counties.
The task force chaired by Prof. Lukoye Atwoli facilitated the public hearing to listen to individual, organizations submissions and memorandums on mental health issues. Kisumu Countu mental health stakeholders comprising of 45 organisations including the County government submitted a joint memorandum on behalf of the county.
Mental health is a bigger issue for Kenya as some of the major underlying issues included policy formulation to streamline mental health, creation of support groups and medication for the victims, advocacy on mental health, rehabilitation services, monitoring and evaluation among others.
The public hearing follows President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive on the formation of the task force amid rising depression and mental disorder related murder and suicide cases in the country. In line with Cabinet’s resolution, the then Cabinet secretary for health Dr. Sicily Kariuki established the task-force with the mandate to assess Kenya’s mental health systems including the legal, policy and administrative environment to identify areas that may benefit from reform, for optimal service delivery.
The team has so far held public hearings in Meru, Makueni, Eldoret, Nakuru, Kisumu counties and thereafter move to Garissa and finally Mombasa county.
Earlier on, Prof. Atwoli and his colleagues paid a courtesy call to the office of the Kisumu County Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili and a debrief to the County Minister for health Prof. Juddy Attyang’ and the county director Mental Health Mr. Jeremiah Okuto.
Prof. Lukoye Atwoli spearheading the public hearing for mental health task force in Kisumu
KISUMU DOCTORS’ STRIKE; THE FACTS
A narrative has been woven that the Doctors’ strike has been exacerbated by the refusal of the county government to implement the CBA and lack of dialogue with the health practitioners. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Following the signing of that CBA in 2017, the Council of Governors in consultation with the Doctor’s National Union, developed an implementation matrix that was sent to the counties to guide the development of individual County CBA Implementation Matrices.
Kisumu County CBA Implementation Matrix;
The CBA Implementation Committee comprising members of the executive and the County KMPDU leadership was inaugurated and commenced work in February 2019.
The committee completed and jointly adopted “Kisumu County CBA Implementation Matrix” in mid-March which was then tabled in the county cabinet and approved for implementation in April.
The County expeditiously proceeded with the implementation of the CBA as outlined in the matrix recommendations achieving 95% within six months. Some of the specific issues outlined include;
- Union Rights;
That Union and other statutory deductions are remitted on time and on a regular basis. This has been achieved and ongoing.
- Employment Conditions;
Establish suitable doctors’ call rooms in all level IV hospitals. The County has since built 10 Call Rooms at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital at a cost of 9 million which will be ready for use in two months. There are also plans to build call rooms in all the Sub County hospitals.
- Doctors’ Rights;
Training;
Carrying out a training needs assessment for doctors and releasing employees eligible for professional development. My government has currently sponsored and sent out 15 Doctors for training in different institutions.
Promotions;
Promotion of doctors to their correct job groups. This was the only pending issue and is currently being effected with the individual letters of promotion being drawn up by the County Public Service.
The implementation of the doctors’ promotions was discussed and agreed with the Union to be effected by December owing to the budgetary processes involved. This was achieved last week when the cabinet approved that appropriation and the communication conveyed to the Public Service Board and the Union. The letters are now here with us one week and half later.
What is most disturbing is that as soon as the information was conveyed to KMPDU through their Nyanza Branch Chairperson, they went ahead and declared the industrial action.
In view of the above, it is quite clear that the County Government has adhered to the CBA implementation Matrix, constantly been in consultation with the Union leadership and has engaged with the doctors with utmost sincerity and openness.
What then is the import of these constant calls to strike? Is there something at play that is necessitating the use of innocent people’s lives as pawns? Does the Hippocratic Oath mean anything to our doctors? Are the doctors so conflicted in their interest? What is the role of the stakeholders such as the media in bringing to the open these conflicted interests?
This strike by Kisumu doctors is therefore unfortunate, inappropriate and unwarranted and cannot be tagged to the CBA implementation.
Nowhere has a CBA Implementation matrix been achieved in totality within six months. Kisumu has! Is that not respect for the symbiotic relationship with workers?
Kisumu Government Spokesperson.
Aloice Ager
.
- Published in Health
Discussions on Reducing Malaria Prevalence in The Eight Lake Endemic Counties
The Governor Prof. P. Anyang’ Nyong’o this week joined CAS Dr. Rashid Amana, Vihiga Governor H.E. Wilberforce Ottichilo, Deputy Governors from Busia, Siaya, Bungoma counties and county health ministers at a high-level meeting christened the Kenya – Cuba Malaria Vector Control Project held at Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu.
This is one of the wins of a trip to Cuba in March 2018 made by Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and the President H.E Uhuru Kenyatta that not only saw Cuban doctors deployed to Kenya and in all the 47 counties to offer technical expertise but also a bilateral agreement was signed on the implementation of Malaria Vector Control Project between Kenya and Cuba.
The two – year project proposes use of a biological larvicides to kill young stages of mosquitoes in identified water bodies in 8 lake endemic counties of Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga.
The project that aims at significantly reducing malaria prevalence, will be implemented at the community level through mentor ship and technical expertise by ten Cuban experts and the National Malaria Program.
GPU
Governor Nyong’o (Right) and CAS Dr. Rashid Amana (left )at the Kenya – Cuba Malaria Vector Control Project meeting held at Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu.
- Published in Health