A high-level delegation from global health partners, including Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Living Goods are in Kisumu to reaffirm their commitment to scaling up mental health services across the region.
The team, led by Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Health, Public Health, and Sanitation, Dr. Greggory Ganda, is set to tour various intervention sites and preside over a week-long training for healthcare workers at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
The delegation comprising Johnson & Johnson’s Vice President for Global Health Equity Howard Reid, Global Head of Social Impact and Partnerships Alice Lin Fabiano, Living Goods Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emilie Chambert, and the organisation’s Country Director Christine Namayanja will preside over the training.
The training targets non-specialized healthcare workers serving at Level Two and Three facilities, equipping them with the skills to identify, manage, and refer mental health cases.
It is part of a broader effort to integrate mental health into primary healthcare, ensuring early detection, psychosocial support, and referral systems are available at the grassroots.
According to Dr Ganda, the intensified focus on mental health follows findings that nearly one in four patients visiting outpatient clinics for conditions such as diabetes or hypertension also suffers from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health disorders.
“Addressing mental health at the primary care level is critical, given the high level of underreporting. These efforts will help us design targeted interventions, particularly for suicide prevention,” said Dr. Ganda.
Johnson & Johnson is the lead supporter of the initiative, which covers all levels of care—from community-based health services to specialist hospital treatment.
The current training for higher-level staff is supported by J&J through AMREF, while the community component receives backing from Living Goods and Kamili Organization.
As part of the broader program, JOOTRH is also setting up a telemedicine centre to facilitate remote consultations, enhancing access to mental health services for residents unable to reach the facility.
The virtual platform will link patients with specialists across the region to ensure continuity of care.
Dr. Ganda noted that the hospital has made deliberate efforts to address the growing mental health burden, including stress and burnout among healthcare workers.
“We are prioritising wellness and psychosocial support for both patients and providers, recognizing that the wellbeing of our staff directly affects service delivery,” he said.
The ongoing capacity-building programme has brought together nurses and other health cadres from across Kisumu County, underscoring JOOTRH’s role as a regional hub for mental health response and training.
By Chris Mahandara
