Health

At least 175 addicts of drugs and substances abuse from Makueni have had a road to Damascus moment after undergoing rehabilitation and counselling by the department of health services.

The 175 graduated on Wednesday from different forms of addiction after an 8-week rehabilitation therapy by psychiatrists from the counselling unit based in the health department.

Some of those who were deeply immersed in different forms of addiction shared agonizing experiences of how their lives had turned upside down, from absconding work, school, neglecting families to sliding into depression.

The county government is working with other partners to re-integrate these champions back to the society and offer after care to prevent relapses to addiction.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili who graced the graduation ceremony at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote said the county government will budget for a rehabilitation centre to reach more people stuck in addiction.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspects the renovated Kwa Kavisi dispensary during the development tour of Kathonzweni Ward.The facility serves more than 3,000 people.

Makueni has made significant strides in reducing and preventing maternal deaths after birth due to excessive bleeding popularly known as Postpartum Haemorrhage deaths. 

Speaking during the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society 48th Annual Scientific Congress in Mombasa, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr highlighted a raft of measures the county has made to achieve this feat, key among them: 

Use of Heat Stable Carbetocin for PPH prevention for all births in 36 facilities (92% of births); Procurement of quality assured medicines from KEMSA and MEDS; Facility and team based training of different cadres of health care providers and Procurement of drapes to facilitate early detection. 

Others include procurement of equipment to enhance monitoring of women; Strengthening prevention and treatment of anemia; and Strengthening primary health care networks.

Governor Mutula said his administration’s huge investment in this health sector is motivated by Hillary Clinton’s clarion call that “Every woman, whoever she is, wherever she lives, should be able to give birth without the fear she’s going to lose her baby or that her baby will lose their mother.”

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha visits Makueni County Referral Hospital dialysis and maternity wings during her UHC spot check tour. Makueni has shifted focus to preventive healthcare (Primary healthcare and community health strategy). This seeks to reach all residents wherever they are, their social and economic status notwithstanding.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakhumicha earlier today arrived in Wote, Makueni, for a spot check on Universal Health Care roll out and Public Participation on Social Health Insurance regulations 2024. The CS is hosted by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and Senator Daniel Maanzo.

Over 300 residents of Makueni will have their eyesight restored through surgery courtesy of the Rotary Club of Nairobi , Rotary Club of Machakos and Government of Makueni County .

A three-day screening and treatment camp for cataracts and other ophthalmic ailments was launched by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and Rotary Club of Nairobi President Susan Murabana at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, Monday, where hundreds turned up for check up.

Governor Mutula said his administration will invest in ophthalmic equipment to combat preventable blindness and create HOPE for more residents.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili hosted a health department project team on Wednesday, partnering with Kenyatta University and consortium members (Alliance Bioversity & CIAT and FSPN-Africa) for the implementation of the “HealthyDiets4Africa” project.

This EU-funded initiative, aims to combat malnutrition in Africa by diversifying food systems, will be active in Makueni and Nairobi Counties.

Mulili praised the team’s dedication to improving complementary feeding practices, nutrition, and health outcomes in Makueni. She affirmed the county government’s commitment to providing essential support throughout this initiative.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, joined by CEC Health Services Dr. Paul Musila, marked World AIDS Day at Kibwezi Township Primary in Kibwezi West Sub-county on Friday. 

Musila highlighted the county’s progress, noting a substantial drop in HIV/AIDS cases from 595 in 2022 to 323 this year. He reaffirmed the commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare, treatment, and preventive services.

Mulili emphasized the importance of health awareness campaigns in eliminating the AIDS scourge and urged the community to reject stigmatization, a major barrier to accessing counseling and testing services. 

She warned of rising HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence, identifying them as triple threats to our communities. Mulili called on all health stakeholders to contribute to building a peaceful society.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Tuesday hosted Netherlands ambassador to Kenya Maarten Brouwer in Makueni for talks on possible areas of partnership. Talks centered on green energy investment, health promotion and agriculture. The two agreed to further the discussion so as to anchor any partnership in the County Integrated Development Plan (2023-2027). Makueni plans to tap Sh 38B from partners to bridge the financing gap in the CIDP.