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Health

MAKUENI REFERRAL HOSPITAL EMPOWERS CANCER PATIENTS WITH GIFT HAMPERS AND ENHANCED CARE PLANS.

Makueni County Referral Hospital on Thursday hosted a special event dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their caregivers, marked by the distribution of gift hampers that were donated by the county First Lady Makueni – Anita Mutula

The occasion brought together top health officials, including the Executive Committee Member for Health Services, Dr. Paul Musila, and the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Martha Munyao.

The hospital’s oncology department was lauded for its exceptional commitment to patient care, with plans unveiled to expand cancer treatment services.

Among the developments is the construction of a larger facility aimed at accommodating the growing number of patients requiring specialized care.

Patients were also urged to take full advantage of the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance system, which offers expanded healthcare benefits and support.

Health leaders emphasized the critical importance of regular cancer screenings, highlighting early detection as a key factor in improving treatment outcomes.

This initiative reflects the hospital’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients while advancing the county’s overall healthcare services.

Makueni County Crowned SDG Champion

Makueni County has once again been named Kenya’s best-performing county in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), winning the prestigious award for the sixth consecutive year. The accolade was presented to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. by Florence Syevuo, Executive Director of the SDG Forum Kenya, on Wednesday during a ceremony at his Wote office.

The county’s success is anchored on innovative policies like the Makueni Universal Health Policy 2020 and Climate Change Fund Regulations 2015, addressing healthcare access, climate resilience, and social inclusion. By aligning SDGs with its County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-2027 and Annual Development Plans, Makueni ensures precise progress tracking and impactful implementation.

Institutional frameworks, including a dedicated SDGs Coordinating Unit and grassroots SDG champions, have bolstered coordination and community ownership. Creative outreach, such as translating SDGs into the Kamba dialect and the SDG anthem by the Makueni Choir, has deepened public awareness.

Another contributing factor is partnerships with organizations like the World Resources Institute and Strathmore University which have enhanced capacity-building and the integration of global sustainability practices. Robust data tools, including an SDG Indicator Handbook, have also supported evidence-based decision-making and accountability.

Lauding Makueni’s leadership, Syevuo noted, “Makueni has proven that sustainable development is achievable through visionary leadership and community involvement, setting a benchmark for others to follow.”

WOMEN URGED TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP FOR INFANT TEETHING PROBLEMS

Women in reproductive age have been encouraged to seek medical assistance when their infants face teething challenges instead of resorting to harmful traditional practices.

Speaking on Wednesday in Wote during a meeting with over 150 women from Maendeleo ya Wanawake across the county, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili expressed concern over infant deaths caused by traditional gum cutting.

She urged mothers to prioritize modern medical interventions to safeguard their children’s health.

Mulili also emphasized the importance of regular breast and cervical cancer screenings, which are ongoing at the sub-county hospitals.

Additionally, she called on women suffering from fistula to attend screenings at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote for specialized care and treatment.

In her remarks, County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa provided a detailed presentation on the legal aspects of land succession, inheritance, and property management, empowering women to navigate these issues effectively.

Other topics covered during the meeting included combating gender-based violence and accessing the Makueni County Empowerment Fund.

The event was also attended by Finance Executive Committee Member Damaris Kavoi.

VOLUNTARY HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING ON THE RISE

In recent times, Makueni County has witnessed an increase in the number of individuals voluntarily undergoing HIV testing and counseling, with many stepping forward to know their status and seek related healthcare services.

During the World AIDS Day commemoration held in Makindu on Monday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili outlined the county’s comprehensive plans and strategies to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic and mitigate its impact on the local population.

World AIDS Day, marked on December 1, honors lives lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrates survivors’ resilience, and calls for action to support those affected.

This year’s theme highlighted public education and united efforts to end HIV while tackling issues like new infections, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence.

Makueni County has intensified its HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment initiatives by establishing friendly clinics, deploying mobile health units, and conducting community outreach programs, significantly enhancing access to healthcare services.

Additionally, the county has rolled out targeted sensitization campaigns in colleges and among county employees to raise awareness and strengthen prevention efforts.

A poignant moment during the commemoration was the testimony of a 54-year-old HIV advocate who has lived with the virus for 28 years. His powerful story of resilience and advocacy serves as a source of inspiration for many.

After being abandoned by his family following his diagnosis in 1994, he overcame immense challenges and has since become a leading voice in HIV awareness, using his journey to empower and encourage others to seek support and embrace hope.

OVER 3000 BENEFIT FROM SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CAMP IN MAKUENI

More than 3000 residents received orthopedic,dental and cataract surgeries at Tawa Sub-County Hospital during a medical camp organized by the County Government of Makueni in collaboration with the Shrimad Rajchandra charitable organization.

The medical camp successfully addressed three complex orthopedic cases, performed 114 eye cataract surgeries, and conducted 70 dental procedures.

In addition to the surgeries, the camp provided vital health screenings for diabetes and high blood pressure, enhancing access to critical healthcare services for the community.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Stephen Ndolo, Chief Officer for Health Services, encouraged locals to take full advantage of the camp’s offerings, including screenings for cervical and breast cancer as well as other medical conditions.

Dr. Ndolo also urged residents to enroll in the Makueni Care health insurance program (SHA) to ease the financial burden of hospital bills, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in accessing affordable healthcare.

The camp reflects the county’s ongoing efforts to improve health services and promote preventative care among its residents.

DIABETES PREVALENCE IN MAKUENI STANDS AT 3.7%: HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE ACTION

Makueni County has a diabetes prevalence rate of 3.7%, translating to approximately 4 out of every 100 residents living with the condition, according to statistics shared by Health Services Chief Officer Dr. Stephen Ndolo.

Speaking during an event at Mutulani Market to mark World Diabetes Day on Friday, Dr. Ndolo emphasized the urgency of adopting modern strategies to enhance diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and management.

He praised community health promoters for their dedication to conducting door-to-door diabetes screenings, noting that such proactive measures are instrumental in improving the overall health of Makueni residents.

Dr. Ndolo also encouraged residents to embrace healthy lifestyles, including balanced diets, regular physical activity, and routine health screenings, as effective ways to combat the growing burden of diabetes in the county.

MAKUENI ACHIEVES MILESTONE IN MATERNAL HEALTH, RECORDS ZERO PPH DEATHS SINCE 2022

Makueni, once among the top ten counties with the highest maternal death rates, has made strides in maternal healthcare. Since 2022, no maternal deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) have been reported in its public hospitals.

This achievement is attributed to innovative healthcare practices and the adoption of Heat-Stable Carbetocin, a World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended drug proven to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth.

The county has also embraced calibrated drapes, a specialized tool that helps measure blood loss during childbirth.

These clear drapes, placed on delivery beds, enable accurate monitoring, allowing medical personnel to respond swiftly to abnormal bleeding.

On Tuesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. flagged off 11,000 calibrated drapes for distribution to health facilities across the county, further bolstering this initiative.

The governor emphasized his commitment to ensuring that women in Makueni deliver safely and return home with healthy babies.

He hosted members of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, who visited the county to learn from its best practices in managing PPH.

The visiting delegation, mainly from Norway and Italy, is dedicated to mobilizing donor governments and strengthening collaborations to improve access to quality healthcare globally.

Makueni is among the first counties in Kenya to adopt a comprehensive approach to combating PPH, combining the use of Heat-Stable Carbetocin with calibrated drapes.

These efforts are part of the “Accelerating Measurable Progress and Leveraging Investments for Postpartum Hemorrhage Impact (AMPLI-PHHI)” program, a partnership between the county and Jhpiego. This initiative aims to drastically reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates associated with PPH.

ENI DONATES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WORTH K.SH 40 MILLION TO BOOST HEALTHCARE IN MAKUENI

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Friday received medical equipment worth K.sh 40 Million from ENI Kenya, a leading biofuels value chain investor in the country.

The equipment, handed over by ENI Kenya Managing Director Enrico Tavolini, includes a centrifuge and a fridge to support blood unit preservation at the Referral Hospital, neonatal equipment for the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, and nutritional supplements for pregnant women and babies, among other items.

Additionally, ENI has equipped the maternity wing at Kambi-Mawe Dispensary and is constructing an ablution block and a biodigester to enhance sanitation services at the facility.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Governor Mutula hailed the initiative, saying it would significantly improve healthcare services in the two facilities.

The partnership is expected to bolster healthcare delivery and align with Governor Mutula’s goal of providing quality and accessible medical services.

COUNTY FIRST LADY LAUNCHES BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING INITIATIVE.

County First Lady Anita Mutula officially launched breast and cervical cancer screening initiative in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote on Wednesday.

Leading the effort to promote early detection and prevention, Anita is advocating for free screening services for both breast and cervical cancer, aiming to increase access to life-saving care for the community.

During her address, Anita noted the alarming statistics from the Makueni Referral Hospital’s Empower Clinic, where 70.2% of cancer patients are diagnosed at stage 4 and an additional 23.5% at stage 3.

She emphasized the need for routine screenings, stating that regular check-ups for both men and women are essential in addressing these rising cancer challenges and fostering a culture of early detection.

The First Lady also expressed concern about the high prevalence of prostate cancer found among men during a recent medical camp, calling attention to the need for focused awareness and intervention.

Since its establishment, the Empower Clinic has served over 1,000 patients, offering vital support and treatment.

At the launch, cancer survivors Rose Munini and Nicholas Musyoka shared their journey with breast and prostate cancer, respectively, expressing gratitude for the treatment received at the empower clinic, which has brought them into remission.

The First Lady was joined by key partners supporting the cancer clinic, including Savanna Informatics Global Health,Roche-Kenya, the National Cancer Institute, and several members of the County Assembly, Chief Officers Dr.Stephen Ndolo,Dr.Harvey Mulei,Felistus Mutune and other county staff.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. ATTENDS 66TH NATIONAL NURSES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday attended the 66th National Nurses Association International Annual Scientific Conference at Kenyatta University. The three-day event, themed “OUR NURSES, OUR FUTURE,” brought together nurses from all 47 counties to discuss the future of healthcare in Kenya.

The conference aims to provide a platform for nursing professionals to share experiences, address workforce challenges and explore ways to improve the quality of healthcare in the country.

In his speech, Governor Kilonzo emphasized the vital role of nurses in driving healthcare. He noted that Makueni County had introduced a nursing directorate to specifically address the concerns of nurses, ensuring better working conditions and services.

He further stated that Makueni has prioritised career growth of nurses by promoting a considerable number of nurses to higher grades.

The second day afternoon session was also attended by Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilberforce Otchilo, Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Waceke, various health officials and leaders from the National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK)