Health

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH VITAMIN ANGELS TO FIGHT MALNUTRITION AND TEEN PREGNANCIES.

Makueni County has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Africa Vitamin Angels, a global nonprofit health organization, to introduce Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) aimed at combating malnutrition among women and children.

Through this new partnership, Makueni becomes the first county in Kenya to pilot the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended MMS program, targeting micronutrient deficiencies in pregnant women.

The initiative will take an implementation science approach, enabling the county’s technical working group, in collaboration with Vitamin Angels, to generate local data and strategies for scaling the program effectively.

Dr. Lucy Konya, Senior Regional Technical Director at Vitamin Angels, applauded Makueni’s proactive approach, calling the partnership a significant step forward in maternal and child health.

She also reaffirmed Vitamin Angels’ commitment to addressing adolescent pregnancy, a major contributor to premature births.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who presided over the MoU signing, hailed the initiative as a “God-sent opportunity,” especially as anaemia rates in the county remain high at 47%.

He urged both Vitamin Angels and other stakeholders to prioritize efforts to reduce teenage pregnancies, which he described as a “silent national pandemic.”

MAKUENI ONCE AGAIN SHINES AT DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE WITH GAME-CHANGING DIGITAL SURGERY TECHNOLOGY

Governors from across the country turned their focus to cutting-edge healthcare innovations at this year’s Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, engaging in peer-to-peer learning on digital surgery and health equity.

Once again, Makueni County stole the spotlight, earning glowing praise for pioneering the use of Proximie technology in Kenya.

The innovative system uses cameras, speakers, and computers connected via the internet to link operating rooms with specialists anywhere in the world.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili walked fellow governors through Makueni’s transformative experience with Proximie, explaining how it enables real-time consultation during surgical procedures, regardless of distance.

Dr. Shannon Shibarta, Head of Global Proximie, hailed Makueni for its trailblazing role, noting that the county’s success story is now inspiring medical professionals as far afield as East Africa.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o pledged to be next in line to adopt the cloud-based system, promising to bring the innovation home to his people.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who chairs the Health Committee in the Council of Governors, revealed that the council is ready to explore partnerships with vendors willing to supply the costly high-end equipment on a pay-per-patient model, making adoption more affordable for counties.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. SIGNS MUTULACARE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES.

Makueni Governor on Monday signed Mutulacare implementation guidlines to guide the County Assembly on the implementation of the Mutulacare scheme on the floor of the House.

This scheme is a County-led Universal Health Coverage initiative that will enhance access to Quality healthcare for all residents in the county.

While signing the guidelines, Governor Mutula said Mutulacare will pay for social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for indigent and vulnerable households to enable access to health care in what was echoed by CECM Health, Joyce Mutua.

Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive heathcare including inpatient and outpatient services, dental and optical care, chronic illness management. They will also receive emergency treatment, including ambulance evacuations in the scheme which targets to cover over 50 per cent of Makueni residents.

Cabinet approved it last week.

Others present were DG Lucy Mulili, County Secretary, Justin Kyambi,

CECMs Finance Damaris Kavoi, Devolution, Nicholas Nzioka and Lands, Paul Musila, among others.

MAKUENI CHOSEN FOR FIRST-EVER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PILOT.

Makueni County has been selected as the pilot site for a groundbreaking four-year Highway Emergency Response Program launched by St. John’s Kenya.

The project, which will stretch along the busy Mombasa–Busia highway, aims to improve emergency medical care at accident-prone zones. It will establish 19 first aid stations, 4 trauma centers, and deploy 4 state-of-the-art ambulances staffed with trained paramedics to deliver timely post-crash care.

Speaking when he visited Makueni County headquarters, Dr. Robert Mutula, Chair of St. John’s Kenya, confirmed that Makueni will receive one ambulance, three First Aid posts, and one trauma center as part of the first phase. The national launch is scheduled for November this year in Emali Town.

Dr. Mutula further committed to making Makueni an emergency response hub for the Lower Eastern region by training local community members, including the Bodaboda operators in basic First Aid and victim assessment. Plans also include setting up a major blood transfusion center to serve accident victims in the region.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hailed the initiative, calling it a God-sent opportunity that will ease the burden of disaster response along the heavily trafficked Mombasa Road, notorious for frequent and often fatal accidents.

Other key officials in attendance included Dr. Alex Muturi (St. John’s Council Member), Paul Ngugi (St. John’s CEO), CECM Health Joyce Mutua, Dr. Harvey Mulei (Chief Officer – Health HR & Admin), and Dr. Geoffrey Ngovi (Acting Chief Officer – Health), among others

GOVERNOR MUTULA TO COMMISSION STATE-OF-THE-ART HOSPITAL IN MAKINDU

Over 8,000 residents of Ngaakaa–Twaandu in Makindu Ward are set to gain access to advanced healthcare services with the construction of a state-of-the-art Level 3 hospital, funded through a partnership between World Vision Kenya and Mountain Blue Foundation.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. is expected to commission the facility in a month’s time.

The hospital will feature a mother and child block, a fully equipped maternity wing, a laboratory, administration offices, procedure rooms, a pharmacy, and a records unit.

It will replace the area’s small dispensary, which has been operating with limited capacity, marking a major leap in service delivery for the community.

The project also includes the installation of solar power for sustainable energy, procurement of essential medical equipment, and connection to the Kiboko–Twaandu water project to guarantee clean water supply for the facility and surrounding residents.

According to Chief Officer for Health Services Dr. Harvey Mulei, the partnership’s second phase will focus on equipping the hospital, while the county government will provide the necessary staff to ease the pressure on existing health facilities.

MAKUENI BOOSTS HEALTH SERVICES TO EASE WOTE HOSPITAL CONGESTION

Health services in facilities around Wote town are receiving a major upgrade as the Makueni County Government moves to ease the pressure on the County Referral Hospital and the maternity wing at the Mother and Child Hospital.

In collaboration with Eni Kenya, the county has already put into operation a newly equipped maternity block, complete with a septic-tank-linked ablution facility.

The initiative includes the ongoing transformation of Kambi Mawe Dispensary into a Level 3 facility.

The dispensary now boasts a modern ablution block designed with disability-friendly features, ensuring accessibility for persons with mobility challenges.

Beyond infrastructure, the partnership with Eni Kenya also supports maternal and child health programs and strengthens the blood donation unit at the County Referral Hospital.

The new ablution block at Kambi Mawe will be officially commissioned by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr in the coming days, marking another milestone in the county’s mission to bring quality healthcare closer to residents.

FIRST LADY VISITS SULTAN HAMUD HOSPITAL TO REVIEW MATERNITY WING PROGRESS

Makueni County First Lady, Anita Mutula on Thursday visited Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital to inspect ongoing construction of a new maternity wing aimed at expanding access to maternal healthcare.

The maternity facility has a 50-bed capacity, designed to address the rising number of deliveries at the hospital, which have surged to 180–190 mothers per month. The project is a partnership between Safaricom and the County Government of Makueni, reflecting a shared commitment to improving the quality of healthcare services for residents of Makueni and neighbouring counties.

The maternity wing is being developed at a total cost of Ksh 60 million, with Ksh 45 million allocated for construction and Ksh 15 million set aside for medical equipment. The facility is expected to be fully equipped and operational by November 2025.

The First Lady also toured other sections of the hospital to check on service delivery and patient care. Her visit coincided with the delivery of a new drug consignment, part of a wider county-wide initiative that has seen 17 major hospitals across Makueni receive fresh medical supplies to enhance service provision.

She was accompanied by Health Chief Officer Health, Dr. Harvey Mulei, the Chairman of the Hospital Board of Management, Major Leonard Kasyoka, Kasikeu Ward MCA Reuben Kavai, and other local leaders.

THE MAKUENI COUNTY CABINET ON WEDNESDAY APPROVED MUTULACARE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES.

The scheme is a County-led Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative that will enhance access to quality healthcare for all residents in the County while protecting vulnerable and indigent households from financial hardships due to out of pocket medical expenses.

The scheme is aligned to the national Social Health Authority (SHA) framework. All registered SHA residents will have free access to health care in all Level 1 to 3 health facilities in the County.

Mutulacare will pay for Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for indigent and vulnerable households to enable access to health care in Level 4 to 6 hospitals. Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive heathcare including inpatient and outpatient services, dental and optical care, chronic illness management and emergency treatment, including ambulance evacuations.

The scheme targets to cover over 50 per cent of Makueni residents. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) will be deployed by the county to identify and enroll indigent and vulnerable households into the SHA and SHIF medical insurance in all the 30 Wards.

Mutulacare is financed through the Ward Fund where each Ward allocated Ksh. 3 million.

The scheme will be operated through a live portal for real-time registration to SHA and which has already been developed.

The Guidelines will now be forwarded to the County Assembly for approval.

HEALTH SERVICES ECM COMMENDS PROGRESS ON MBOONI SUB- COUNTY EMERGENCY FACILITY

Makueni ECM in charge of Health Services, Joyce Mutua, on Wednesday conducted an unannounced visit to Mbooni Sub-County Hospital to evaluate the facility’s service delivery and inspect progress on the construction of a new modern emergency and family hospital.

During the visit, the ECM interacted with patients seeking medical care and took note of ongoing operations within the hospital.

She expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction, noting that the upcoming facility—expected to be completed later this year—will significantly enhance emergency response capacity and improve overall healthcare services for residents of Mbooni and surrounding areas.

The visit also reaffirmed the department’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems across the county.

She emphasized her dedication to supporting Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision of accessible and quality healthcare for all Makueni residents.

COUNTY LAUNCHES FORUM TO COMBAT NEONATAL DEATHS AND DISPEL HARMFUL HEALTH MYTHS

Healthcare workers from Level 2 and 3 health facilities are gathering at the One Mother and Child Hospital for a sensitization forum aimed at reducing neonatal deaths in the county.

The forum also seeks to address and dispel harmful myths surrounding unsafe health practices, such as the dangerous tradition of gum cutting, in an effort to promote healthier health-seeking behaviors.

The five-day forum was officially inaugurated by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Joyce Mutua.

As part of its commitment to improving maternal and child health, the Department is implementing a range of initiatives, including neonatal death audits, comprehensive capacity-building programs for healthcare workers, and the weekly Maternal Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system .

This is to track and address preventable deaths. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to foster change and reduce neonatal mortality rates across the county.