CEC member for health Prof. Boaz Nyunya and Chief Officer Dr. Gilbert Ganda receiving donations of new maternal health equipment from Chief of party USAID/ AfyaHalisi Dr. Solomon Orero on behalf KCRH (Picture by Jacton Omondi)
By Jacton Omondi
After having a grand struggle trying to reduce maternal mortality, Kisumu county is among 15 counties in Kenya with the highest burden of maternal mortality to benefit from the various new health equipment donated through a direct initiative by the USAID/ AfyaHalisi in supporting Kisumu county referral hospital.
The new equipment includes Doppler fetal Heart Monitor (portable), Infrared thermometers, Penguin suction apparatus/devices, Digital portable BP machines, Multi-parameter patient monitor and Hemocue machines (for point of care use). Other kinds of equipment that were acquired earlier on include; Ultrasound machines, Operating theater lambs, Family planning equipment (IUCD insertion, Implant insertion, Vasectomy section set, Total tube Ligation set) and Capacity Building.
The equipment will go a long way in supporting and improving the health standards of women, children adolescents and other people with the new focus point planned on integrating maternal child health plus HIV/AIDS as a new mechanism.
The USAID/AfyaHalisi, Chief of Party, Dr. Solomon Orero pledged to give special attention to Kisumu not only in health but also in agriculture, livestock and environment, water and sanitation, and education.
Currently, AfyaHalisi has partnered with the county governments of Kisumu in the fight against COVID-19, through the provision of 10 o ventilators for Kisumu county, to be handed over to Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o.
According to Dr. Orero, the equipment acquired by the county hospital from AfyaHalisi, are both for training and service delivery.
The CECM for health Prof. Boaz Nyunya stated that maternal neonatal child adolescent health is one area that needs a lot of support, and with the equipment in place, it will help reduce the bad indication in terms of maternal mortality rate.
Prof. Boaz noted that health workers should not divert their attention more on covid-19 but on issues that affect patient and child health services, adding that the county is working towards comprehensive compassionate care to reduce the rate of accident, drug abuse, reproductive health amount others. He also urged health workers to use the equipment appropriately to improve the health of women, children and adolescents.
Also present was chief officer health Dr. Gibert Ganda, Director health and sanitation Fred Oluoch, county reproductive health coordinator Jane Owuor and other county officials.
