Health

The department of Health Services on Friday hosted the inception meeting for the SHINE Project Kenya, a four-year transformative programme aimed at strengthening rehabilitation healthcare and inclusive social protection systems for persons with disabilities and children with treatable physical conditions.

The project will be implemented through a partnership between the Department of Health Services, CBM Global Disability Inclusion and AIC-CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya.

It seeks to improve community-based rehabilitation services, enhance access to assistive technology, strengthen Educational Assessment and Resource Centres (EARC), improve disability registration, and build the capacity of rehabilitation staff, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), CHAs and Community Rehabilitation Workers.

Speaking during the meeting, Ag. Director Health Planning and Administration Dr. Chomba emphasized the need to prioritize sustainability from the onset of the project.

He called for improved communication, proper reporting of facility needs and timely supply systems to ensure effective service delivery, while welcoming the project’s strong focus on taking rehabilitation services closer to communities.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has termed postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) a “political failure,” saying preventable maternal deaths persist because systems have not prioritized the lives of women.

Speaking on Friday at Kusyombunguo Hotel during a Nation Media Group roundtable on maternal health, the governor noted that PPH remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths globally, not because it is untreatable, but due to gaps in policy, access and prioritisation.

Governor Mutula, a global advocate in the fight against maternal mortality, recounted Makueni County’s efforts to curb PPH-related deaths. He highlighted the introduction of heat-stable carbetocin, a uterotonic medicine used to contract the uterus and prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth.

At the time the county adopted the drug, it cost Sh2,700 per dose. However, following its uptake and subsequent stocking by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), the price has dropped significantly to about Sh95.

The governor expressed pride in Makueni’s progress, noting that the county recorded zero maternal deaths in 2023 and 2024, attributing the achievement in part to the use of Heat-Stable Carbetocin and strengthened maternal health interventions.

In Kenya, maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, with an estimated 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, rising to nearly 400 in some parts of East and West Africa.

Nation Media Group CEO Geoffrey Odundo also challenged counties to consider partnering with the private sector on maternal health conversations to leverage on reducing mortality.

To further address the challenge, Jhpiego has partnered with Makueni County to implement targeted interventions aimed at reducing maternal deaths associated with postpartum hemorrhage.

Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday called upon counties to invest more on health noting that Makueni County is redirecting resources towards critical surgical equipment and infrastructure.

Speaking in Mombasa where he was guest speaker during the the Surgical Society of Kenya (SSK) Annual Scientific Conference, the governor, at the same time, urged practitioners to actively engage counties in the budgeting process.

The conference brought together over 400 surgeons, development partners, and health stakeholders to strengthen surgical services under Universal Health Coverage, focusing on coordination, financing, referral systems, and quality improvement.

He highlighted Makueni’s adoption of Proximie technology as a milestone in enhancing surgical care through real-time collaboration, training, and improved patient outcomes, supported by partners including the SSK.

SSK President Dr. Michael Mwachiro called on health practitioners to actively engage in policy spaces and provide data to support increased health budget allocations.

In recognition to his contribution in advancing surgical care, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. was appointed an SSK Honorary Ambassador.

The CECM in charge of Health Services Joyce Mutua on Monday held talks with both representatives from the national and branch officials the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers represented by the national secretary General of KUCO George Kibore and chairman Peterson Wachira to assess the progress of the return to work formula for clinical officers.

Mutua who was accompanied by the departmental Chief Officers’ Harvey Mulei (Human Resource) and Irene Makau (Health Services) noted that the previous week, they held talks with the Kenya Civil Servants to deliberate on similar issues affecting the rest of the cadres within the department of health services.

According to Mulei, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers had previously rated the implementation of the return to work formula to about 60% and on Monday the officials commended the county for improving on the implementation of the same.

The meeting resulted to an agreement that was cosigned between the union officials and the CECM Joyce Mutua as well as Dr. Harvey Mulei.

Early next week, the department will also host the Kenya Union of Nurses and Midwives to discuss issues relating to their members.

The Department of Health Services, in collaboration with the national government, Jacaranda Health and World Vision, has successfully trained 30 healthcare workers drawn from facilities across the county.

The participants, comprising medical officers, clinicians and nurses, underwent an intensive five-day programme at Wote on Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EMONC), after which they were awarded certificates.

The training is aimed at strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers in managing maternal and neonatal health, with a broader goal of reducing maternal and newborn deaths to zero.

Acting Director in charge of Preventive and Promotive Health, Dr. Stephen Mwatha, was present to oversee the initiative.

The Department of Health Services on Monday partnered with Kenya Medical Research Institute {KEMRI} to present preliminary findings from a countywide study on high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hrHPV) and cervical abnormalities among women attending five health facilities within the county.

High-risk strains of the Human papillomavirus are known to alter normal cells, potentially leading to cancer, most notably Cervical cancer.

The study’s findings point to a significant disease burden within the county.

According to the report, 24% of women tested were positive for high-risk HPV.

Nearly half of those with abnormal cervical findings also tested positive for hrHPV, emphasizing the strong link between HPV infection and cervical disease.

The study focused on Mbooni, Kibwezi, Sultan Hamud and Makindu Sub-County Hospitals, as well as Makueni County Referral Hospital, with a sample size of 1,106 women.

The investigation further identified high-risk HPV genotypes, including types 16 and 52, and revealed that younger women, particularly those aged between 14 and 24 years, recorded higher infection rates.

Beyond clinical data, the research uncovered critical social and health system gaps. While general awareness of cervical cancer exists, knowledge about HPV as the causative agent remains limited. Fear, stigma, and persistent misconceptions, such as concerns that vaccination may lead to infertility, continue to influence health-seeking behavior.

Speaking to healthcare workers at the Mother and Child Hospital, Ag. Director in charge of Preventive and Promotive Health, Dr. Mwatha, reiterated the county’s commitment to strengthening both prevention and care.

He noted that the county is scaling up HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening, integrating screening into routine services across all health facilities, enhancing community awareness through Community Health Promoters, and building the capacity of healthcare workers while ensuring adherence to national guidelines. KEMRI,RAMPUR.UP

Makueni County has continued to cement its reputation as a leader in digital health innovation, after hosting a high-level delegation from Kilifi County for a benchmarking visit focused on transformative healthcare solutions.

The team, received by Ag. Director Promotive and Preventive Dr. Stephen Mwatha on Tuesday, undertook a cross-learning mission at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, with particular interest in the implementation of Proximie,a cutting-edge technology that enables real-time transmission of surgical procedures.

Through Proximie, Makueni has redefined service delivery by allowing specialists to guide operations remotely, enhancing efficiency, facilitating skills transfer, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. The innovation has positioned the county at the forefront of smart healthcare solutions in the country.

During the visit, the delegation also examined key interventions implemented by the county, notably the solarization of the referral hospital. The initiative has significantly improved the reliability of power supply for critical services such as oxygen production, while at the same time reducing operational costs.

In the Maternal and Child Health unit, the team explored a range of integrated services tailored to meet diverse patient needs. These included youth-friendly centres, gender-based violence response services, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programmes, and flexible care models designed to accommodate working patients.

The delegation further toured the maternity, newborn, and theatre units, where they observed a series of innovations shaping clinical care.

These included the use of Proximie in obstetric safe surgery, the adoption of kangaroo mother care for newborns, and the growing integration of digital solutions in routine medical practice.

The benchmarking mission brought together key stakeholders and partners, among them representatives from Safaricom Foundation, Council of Governors, Amref Health Africa, and the Proximie team.

The peer-to-peer engagement not only strengthened collaboration but also places the county as a trailblazer in digital health innovation. Amref Health Africa in KenyaCouncil of Governors-KenyaSafaricom FoundationKilifi County GovernmentGideon Maitha Mung’aro

Is your child overwhelmed by everyday sounds or textures? Have you encountered children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who struggle to cope with their surroundings?

Families in Makueni may now have a reason for hope, as public health facilities step up efforts to support children facing sensory processing challenges through strengthened rehabilitation services.

Sensory processing, how the brain receives, organizes, and responds to information from the senses, plays a critical role in a child’s development.

When this process is disrupted, it can affect behavior, learning, and daily functioning. Recognizing this, the Makueni County Department of Health Services has intensified interventions within its rehabilitation units to better support affected children.

In a significant boost to these efforts, the department on Friday partnered with Kenyatta National Hospital to conduct a comprehensive training session for county therapists. The session focused on sensory integration techniques as well as the proper installation and maintenance of specialized therapeutic equipment.

The training forms part of a broader strategy to promote evidence-based practice among healthcare providers, ensuring that children receive effective, safe, and consistent care across county facilities.

According to Mikie Baron, a clinical Occupational Therapist and a brand ambassador at Kenyatta National Hospital, sensory interventions in occupational therapy involve carefully designed activities that help individuals, especially children process sensory information more efficiently.

This, in turn, improves emotional regulation, concentration, and overall daily functioning.

During the sensitization forum, stakeholders identified the establishment of a sensory gym as a top priority for county health facilities.

The proposed facility would provide a safe and structured environment for therapy, enabling individualized interventions and allowing children to explore sensory experiences in a controlled setting.