Health workers union has suspended the planned strike following negotiations between the union and the County Department of Health and Sanitation.
In an agreement signed by the County government led by the County Secretary, Dr. Olang’o Onudi, the Chief Officer of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Stephen Sewe and health workers’ unions representatives, the union called off a looming strike that has since caused anxiety among Kisumu residents.
The health workers’ unions had issued a 14-day joint strike notice on the 1st of July 2019 if the County fails to address their grievances. The bone of contention being late submission of statutory deductions, late payment of salaries and promotion of health workers.
Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Chief Officer Mr. Sewe expressed optimism for future constructive engagements with the unions.
“We are forming the Health Workers Council to create a conducive engagement with health workers unions so that we don’t have misunderstandings that can lead to strikes.” Said Mr. Sewe.
To demonstrate the departments seriousness, the chief officer announced that the first meeting is set for next week.
The last-minute negotiation comes in the wake of the rabies outbreak, malaria upsurge and reports on anthrax which have placed the County in a state of apprehension.
The General Secretary for the Kenya National Union of Nurses, (KNUN) Mr. Maurice Opetu urged the County Government to open proper channels of Communication in order to find ways of resolving disputes.
By Noel Summers
County Secretary Dr Olang’o Onudi (3rd left) and Kenya Nurses Union Secretary Mr Maurice Opetu (4th left) exchange documents of agreement between the Country Government of Kisumu and the Health Workers Unions representative ( Picture by Jacob Owiti)
The County Malaria Coordinator Lilyana Dayo has called on Kisumu residents to take precaution in preventing malaria prevalence following an upsurge due to the rainy season experienced in the months of April, May June and July.
The malaria coordinator encourages residents to visit health facilities for treatment adding that adequate antimalarial drugs are available in all the county health facilities.
Dayo also urged residents to take personal protection measures such as use of treated mosquito bed nets and mosquito control measures including clearing of the surrounding bushes, closing windows as early as 6.00 pm, disposal of the empty containers and other necessary primary health care measures.
Kisumu being a malaria endemic area, most residents are exposed and the County health department is taking all intervention measures.
Distribution of Mosquito nets to pupils in Kisumu County (File photo)
The director veterinary services Dr. Evans Odhiambo has announced plans to hold a 2-day bating exercise in Seme Sub county on the 8th to 10th of July 2019 which will be followed by a mass vaccination drive.
Recently, the County government has been on high alert following rabies outbreak that caused the death of two children reported in Seme Sub County. The County directorate of health and its sister directorate of Veterinary services held a meeting to review a rabies investigative report done by the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) anchored within the Ministry of Health and supported by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Following rabies epidemic in most parts of the County, the department reached out to FELTP to help understand the rabies prevalence in Seme sub county. According to Dr. Daniel Ong’are of FELTP Kenya, there is increased awareness of rabies prevention and control measures through education and information on responsible pet ownership, how to prevent dog bites and immediate care measures after a bite.
The report presented by Dr. Ong’are indicated one of the challenges experienced by the community as inaccessibility of anti-rabies due to the distance to the health facilities thus hindering access to full dosage of the vaccine.
Human rabies is virtually always fatal despite numerous attempts at aggressive therapy by the health facilities. Most survivors receive one or more doses of rabies vaccine prior to the onset of the dog bite, however many more survivors fail to get to the health facilities for a follow up vaccines.
The report recommended capacity building of health care workers on RIG and PEP administration, proper record keeping and tracking of patients to ensure adherence to immunization protocol, continuous sensitization of the community on availability of public goods and services at public health facilities, reduction of dog population coupled with sensitization on responsible dog ownership and sustainable regular vaccination of dogs to achieve herd immunity.
The County Pharmacist Dr. Lawrence Otieno confirmed the availability of anti-rabies stating that the County has maintained buffer stock for the vaccine. Dr. Odhiambo of County Vet services also pledged to donate 100 more of Antiviral for rabies to go to the health centres.
Kisumu is one of the selected counties for rabies pilot study in Kenya having been pronounced as an endemic area with Seme Sub County as the most affected endemic areas in the County, followed by Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Muhoroni and Nyakach Sub counties respectively.
By Matilda Atieno
Dr. Daniel Ong’are of FELTP Kenya presenting a report on the study of rabies endemic in Seme Sub-county to the CHMT in Kisumu ( Picture By David Wadulo)
Kisumu County Public Service Board wishes to recruit competent and qualified persons to fill the following positions in their respective Departments as listed below: Click the Link below to Access the full Advert
June 2019 Advertisement complete
Note: The positions of County Secretary, Deputy County Secretary, Chief Officers and Directors will be on Contract for a period of three years renewable based on successful performance.
For details on the above advertised positions and how to apply, applicants are asked to visit our website www.kisumu.go.ke .
HOW TO APPLY The candidate should apply by downloading and filling application for employment form available on our website. All dully filled forms should be sent to the undersigned on or before 19th July 2019 at 4.00 pm.
THE SECRETARY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD P.O. BOX 7792-40100, KISUMU
Hand delivered applications can be dropped at our offices located at Kisumu County Public Service Board Offices (Former M.E.O Office), Okore Rd, Milimani, Kisumu.
All candidates interested in any of the above positions must attach clearance certificates from KRA, HELB, EACC, CID, CRB and Commission for Higher Education for degrees obtained outside Kenya.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
NB: The County Government of Kisumu is an equal opportunity employer and women, the youth and persons with disabilities who meet the specified requirements are encouraged to apply and also indicate so in their applications.
Movement of patients in dire need of emergency health services is set to improve due to newly advanced life support ambulance flagged off by Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o.
Speaking at the flagging off ceremony, the Governor pointed that the ambulances will be connected to the County Ambulatory and Emergency Services with an emergency number where residents in urgent need of ambulance services will be able to request and immediately be connected with the nearest ambulance.
In addition to the establishment of ambulatory and emergency services, the Governor added that county is set to establish a fleet management system to support management of trucks, cars and motorbikes to ensure efficiency. The new ambulance will be attached to Gita Sub County hospital in Kisumu East Sub-County.
With that in place, the Governor has also directed the Department of Health to set up proper ambulatory services domiciled at JOOTRH to ensure a seamless coordination of ambulatory services and efficient use of ambulances.
The new ambulance is a major boost to emergency services within the County that will play a critical role in strengthening the referral system, a key aspect in the delivery of Universal Health Coverage. The Governor made a promise to revamp ambulatory services by putting into place proper ambulances.
Other seven ambulances are expected to arrive within the next three weeks and will be stationed at the Sub-County hospitals with one extra one attached at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
The 8 Ambulances procured at a cost of Kshs. 76.8 million will be fully fitted with defibrillators, patient monitor for heart rate, blood pressure and pulse rate, pulse oximeter for oxygen saturation, piped oxygen, patient stretcher, operating table, fixed suction machine and big value mask.
The governor was flanked by the Ag. County Minister for Health Nerry Achar and other County health officers led by the Chief Officer Dr. Sewe.
Governor Nyong’o navigates inside the newly commissioned Ambulance
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.