Health

A new study by the Department of Health Services and the ARUA Centre of Excellence for Non-Communicable Diseases at the University of Nairobi has revealed statistics on the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and caregiving in Makueni County.

According to the research, which was conducted among a study sample size of 155 caregivers, they reported the majority of the recepients of care suffered from comorbidity (more than one non-communicable disease). Majority of the recipients of care were diagnosed with hypertension (74.1%), followed by diabetes at 37.8%, chronic respiratory diseases at 8.4%, cancer at 6.3%, and other cardiovascular diseases at 3.5%.

_NB: These are proportions from a small study sample._

The findings also highlight the disproportionate burden of caregiving, with 69% of caregivers being women compared to 31% men.

Among care recipients, women account for 65%, while only 1% of caregivers receive payment, leaving 99% unpaid.

Speaking during the dissemination meeting on Thursday at the Mother and Child Hospital, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili cautioned against leaving children with caregiving responsibilities, terming it a violation of their right to education.

She reaffirmed the county’s commitment to work with the national government once the proposed national NCD caregiver policy is developed, to ease the pressure on caregivers already stretched to their limits.

Health CECM Joyce Mutua urged political leaders to embrace the study’s findings and use their platforms to advocate for reducing the rising NCD prevalence.

On his part, Professor Charles Nzioka of the University of Nairobi noted that the ultimate goal is to develop a national NCD policy that recognizes, reduces, and redistributes the burden of care work on women and girls, thereby promoting gender equity and improving their well-being.

Makueni County joined the rest of the world in commemorating World PPH Run Day, raising awareness about postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) — a leading cause of maternal deaths, responsible for nearly 50% of such fatalities globally.

Health professionals, local residents, and advocacy partners gathered in Wote for the awareness run under the global theme “Run for Her”, emphasizing the urgency of preventing PPH through early intervention and community education.

Leading the event, Martha Munyao, CEO of Makueni County Referral Hospital, called on expectant mothers to attend regular antenatal clinics and ensure hospital deliveries.

Munyao also praised the efforts of Jhpiego and other health partners for their pivotal role in combatting PPH, especially through the introduction of heat-stable carbetocin, a tablet proven to significantly reduce blood loss after childbirth and potentially eliminate PPH-related deaths.

Teresia Maweu, Reproductive Health Coordinator, encouraged the public to support the cause by donating blood, a life-saving resource in managing severe blood loss during and after delivery.

Makueni County will on Friday play host to the national celebrations of World Contraceptive Day at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote.

The event, themed “A Choice for All: Agency, Intention and Access,” provides a platform to showcase progress, share best practices, and reflect on the gaps that remain in access and use of contraceptives across the country.

Makueni stands out as a model county, having surpassed Kenya’s average modern contraceptive prevalence rate recording an impressive 64 percent uptake compared to the national figure of 57 percent.

This success is attributed to high postpartum family planning adoption through initiatives like the Anita Mbinya Foundation and Jhpiego, innovative community engagement, strong political commitment, and sustainable investment , including the establishment of a dedicated family planning budget line.

The celebration is expected to attract senior Ministry of Health officials alongside Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., among other dignitaries.

Thousands of Makueni residents on Thursday turned up at various meeting places in all the 30 wards for public participation on the Makueni Universal Healthcare Coverage, also known as Mutulacare.

The county-wide turnout marked a significant step in shaping the future of healthcare under the Mutulacare program – a locally tailored model aimed at delivering Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to every resident of Makueni.

Thursday’s forums gave citizens a platform to voice their views on how the programme should be structured, financed, and delivered, with a strong focus on community support and inclusivity.

Mutulacare is Makueni’s localized response to the Shared Health Agenda (SHA), a national strategy that emphasizes equitable, accessible, and affordable healthcare for all.

The program draws its mandate from the Social Protection Act, which provides the legal backbone for inclusive health and social systems in Kenya. By rooting healthcare in the principles of mutual responsibility, the county hopes to build a resilient model where communities actively care for one another — especially the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

The large turnout reflects the public’s strong interest in owning and shaping healthcare delivery.

Residents shared varied opinions, most expressing support for the county’s vision.

The Department of Health Services on Saturday held a successful medical camp at Ngakaa Health Facility, offering free treatment and medication to hundreds of residents.

Community members received care for a range of health concerns, including hypertension, diabetes, and other common ailments. The initiative was part of the county’s ongoing efforts to expand access to quality healthcare at the grassroots level.

Speaking during the event, Chief Officer for Health Services, Dr. Harvey Mulei, encouraged residents to turn up for the upcoming public participation forums on the Mutula Care program, which is set for implementation soon. He emphasized that community involvement is key to shaping healthcare services that meet people’s needs.

The camp was also attended by Kibwezi West Sub-County Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Patrick Kibwana, and Makindu Medical Superintendent, Emmanuel Leiposha, who joined the medical team in supporting the exercise.

The health department has pledged to continue organizing such outreach programs to bring essential services closer to the people.

Health officials in Makueni County are urging residents to remain vigilant as cases of Mpox continue to rise, placing the region among the most affected counties in the country.

According to County Chief Officer for Health, Dr. Harvey Mulei, the disease is spreading at an alarming rate, with new infections reported across the county.

He emphasized the need for residents to exercise caution in their daily interactions to curb further transmission.

The county epidemiologist, Dr. Pius Mutuku, confirmed that Makueni has so far recorded 36 cases, ranking it fourth nationally after Mombasa (193), Busia (69) and Nairobi (56).

He revealed that 80% of the local cases are concentrated in Kibwezi West sub-county, particularly along the busy Nairobi–Mombasa highway with Emali town emerging as the hotspot.

Since the first case was detected in July last year, the disease surveillance and public health team has been conducting contact tracing and collecting samples from suspected patients.

Dr. Mulei noted that while healthcare workers in the county have been trained to manage the disease with the support of partners, stronger interventions from the national government,local and international partners are urgently needed to contain the outbreak.

He added that plans are underway to scale up public awareness campaigns and establish isolation centres for confirmed cases.

Makueni County is also working closely with the North Star Alliance, to provide targeted health services to truckers, community and sex workers at Emali.

Clinical officer Kennedy Kibiwott from the organization highlighted that their peer-led model has played a critical role in reaching key populations that would otherwise avoid seeking screening and treatment.