Kajiado County government has been actively working to enhance its healthcare system, which has addressed infrastructure and specific needs in the society.
The county has made healthcare a central pillar of its development agenda with significant progress in expanding access to medical services across the region.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku says that the transformation of delivery of services in the sector has been one of the main agendas of leaders in the county.
The number of dispensaries in the county has increased from 80 to 104 across the county, while the number of health centres increased from 20 to 27, ensuring residents are well covered on matters of health.
The Governor who was pointing out the milestones that his government has made during the celebrations of Madaraka day noted that health remained a major area of focus in Kajiado County.
“We have been prioritising health care through expanding infrastructure, staffing, facilities and investing in community healthcare systems,” he said.
The number of hospitals has also doubled from 5 to 10, with Mashuru health centre in Imaroro ward, Kajiado East and Birikani dispensary being upgraded to level four hospitals and this has made it easier for residents to access quality services without travelling long distances,” Ole Lenku said.
“Keuwaso, Ng`atatae and Masimba dispensaries in the Kajiado East region are undergoing upgrades to also become level four hospitals,” the Governor added.
He boasted of the elevation of Kajiado Referral Hospital to a level 5 hospital, now housing a renal unit equipped with five dialysis machines.
“These machines benefit approximately 500 patients and are impactful, hence reducing the need for costly treatments in private facilities. By doing this, a lot of people are getting essential services with ease,” the Governor observed.
He noted that through partnerships with organisations like the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health, a lot had been realised in a short time.
The county government is also working closely with development partners to implement projects that will improve maternal and child health, such as improving surveillance on specific diseases and responding to the emergencies in the region.
The county has also made strides in ensuring the Social Health Authority (SHA) registration is done to secure its people’s health-wise.
“In 2017, only 25,000 people benefitted from the Afya Bora initiative, but this has increased to 380,000 beneficiaries with SHA, which is 34 per per cent of the county’s population,” he noted.
Governor Lenku said that 93 per cent of the public health facilities were now ready to receive reimbursement through SHA and that the Community Health Promoters (HCPs) were at the centre of the health system and their contribution in extending (SHA) coverage and promoting early intervention is commendable.
“We have been working towards preventive healthcare, and this has played a big role in ensuring residents are healthy and also in implementing the One Health Approach programme to address diseases transmitted from animals and the environment,” he said.
The programme was meant to prevent and combat zoonotic diseases like brucellosis and anthrax, which have been a threat to the people and the society.
To address cultural preferences and improve maternal health among the people, the county has constructed eco-manyattas within hospital compounds. These structures offer a familiar environment for expectant mothers, hence reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate.
During the meeting, Governor Ole Lenku directed the County Treasury to ensure that all their pending dues are settled without further delays.
By Edwin Gathii
