The fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Trans Nzoia County has received a major boost following the donation of essential medical equipment by Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH).
Speaking during the handover, Trans Nzoia County Director of Health Services and Sanitation, Dr. Isaac Kisiang’ani, welcomed the donation, saying it will significantly improve patient outcomes, particularly for those living with hypertension and diabetes.
“Most of our facilities have been facing a shortage of equipment to handle NCDs. With the blood pressure machines and weighing scales now available, our healthcare providers will monitor patients better and more consistently,” he said.
County NCDs Coordinator, Dr. Emmanuel Mwengi, echoed the remarks and thanked AMPATH for its long-standing support in strengthening healthcare services in the county.
“We are forever grateful to AMPATH for the work they are doing in Trans Nzoia. They have been big partners in the HIV and AIDS space for many years, and now they are extending their support to NCDs. It is a privilege to have them on board,” he said.
Dr. Mwengi noted that healthcare providers had already undergone training on the use of the new equipment, adding that screening and management of hypertension and diabetes would be enhanced.
“There are times patients come to the hospital and equipment fails, leading to missed basic tests like blood pressure checks. With this equipment, we can now ensure standardized services across our facilities and address these gaps,” he said.
He added that the equipment will be distributed across several facilities, including Saboti Primary Care Network, Lukhome Health Facility, Kitalale, Bondeni, Tom Mboya, and Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Representing AMPATH, Dr. Alwin Kagare said the organization is committed to strengthening quality NCD care at both facility and community levels.
“One of our key objectives is to improve the health system supply chain by providing essential equipment. We are also strengthening community-level screening through Community Health Promoters (CHPs). When CHPs identify suspected hypertension or diabetes cases, they refer them to facilities for confirmation and enrollment into care,” he said.
Trans Nzoia County Community Health Promoters Coordinator, Pamela Semo, said the program will greatly improve referral services for people living with NCDs.
“With these tools at the facility level, CHPs can now identify suspected cases in the community and refer them for proper diagnosis and treatment,” she said, urging residents to make use of community health promoters and embrace early screening. She noted that managing NCDs becomes more expensive and complicated once severe symptoms develop.
Among the equipment supplied were digital blood pressure machines, height meters, weighing scales, pediatric tools, and stethoscopes.
by Isaiah Nayika
