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Health

MAKUENI CONCLUDES LANDMARK MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM

Makueni County, in partnership with Nutrition International, has successfully concluded the Maternal, Neonatal, Child, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition (MNCAHN) program, which has been in implementation since 2020.

The multi-faceted initiative aimed at scaling up cost-effective, high-impact nutrition interventions while strengthening the foundation for sustainable nutrition programming.

Through this collaboration, the county effectively rolled out various interventions outlined in the Makueni County Action Plan (2020-2023).

One of the program’s key milestones was the development of the Makueni County Multi-Sectoral Food and Nutrition Security Policy 2024, which is now awaiting cabinet approval before presentation to the county assembly for adoption.

Additionally, the county introduced Kangaroo Mother Care Centers in six hospitals to enhance the management of preterm and underweight infants among other achievements.

The program boosted maternal and child health indicators. Notably:

115% of pregnant women attended at least one antenatal care (ANC) visit, surpassing the annual target.

68% of expectant mothers completed four or more ANC visits.

95% of pregnant women received iron and folic acid supplementation.

84% of births were assisted by skilled healthcare providers.

78% of newborns received clean cord care using Chlorhexidine (CHX).

Speaking during the program’s closeout meeting on Friday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili urged other departments to collaborate with the Health Department to integrate nutrition services and expand their reach.

She was accompanied by County Assembly Health Committee Chair Hon. Jackson Mbalu, as well as Finance and Health Services CECs Damaris Kavoi and Dr. Paul Musila.

MAKUENI STEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST MATERNAL DEATHS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JHPIEGO

Makueni is ramping up efforts to eliminate maternal deaths through a strategic partnership with Jhpiego, focusing on reducing mortality and complications caused by postpartum hemorrhage,the leading cause of maternal fatalities.

In a meeting held in Wote on wednesday,key stakeholders convened to deliberate on effective interventions.

The forum brought together representatives from the County Community Health Strategy, County Reproductive Health teams, Sub-County Community Health Strategy focal persons, Health Promotion Officers, Community Health Assistants, chiefs, sub-chiefs, and religious leaders.

Their primary objective was to chart a clear path toward ending preventable maternal deaths.

Data from the county indicate significant progress in reducing maternal mortality.

In 2022, Makueni recorded 23 maternal deaths, 12 of which resulted from excessive bleeding. However, in 2023/2024, the numbers dropped to 11, signaling a positive trend.

Speaking at the meeting, health promotion officer Bretta Mutisya urged chiefs to work closely with community health promoters to ensure pregnant women receive proper antenatal care and are encouraged to deliver in health facilities.

Jhpiego’s Evaluation, Monitoring, and Research Manager, Fridah Nyaga, underscored the need for preparedness, particularly for expectant mothers in remote areas.

She advised that carrying misoprostol,a life-saving drug,could help prevent excessive bleeding if they deliver outside health facilities.

With these concerted efforts, Makueni is steadily advancing towards its goal of safer childbirth and zero maternal deaths, offering hope for expectant mothers across the region.

NEW KSH 45 MILLION LEVEL 3 HOSPITAL TO TRANSFORM HEALTHCARE IN NGAAKAA-TWAANDU

Over 8,000 residents of Ngaakaa-Twaandu in Makindu Ward are set to benefit from an upcoming state-of-the-art Level 3 hospital, thanks to a KSh 45 million investment by World Vision Kenya.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, alongside the World Vision Kenya team, led the groundbreaking ceremony of phase one of the project on Tuesday.

The facility, backed by Mountain Blue Foundation, will feature a mother and child block, a modern maternity wing, a fully equipped laboratory, an administration block, procedure rooms, a pharmacy, and a records office.

Additionally, the project includes the installation of solar energy to power the facility, procurement of essential medical equipment, and implementation of the Kiboko-Twaandu water project to enhance access to clean water.

Beyond healthcare, World Vision Kenya is implementing a water project in Kitise, where 10,000 residents will benefit from the Kwa-Kamaso water project, implemented in partnership with the county government.

To further improve livelihoods, the organization will distribute 250-liter water tanks to local households, supply solar lamps to over 4,000 registered school children in the area, and empower lead farmers through training on Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR).

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES CONDUCTS INTEGRATED HEALTH OUTREACH IN KITISE

The Department of Health Services, in collaboration with World Vision Kenya and Mountain Blue Foundation, on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive integrated health outreach programme in Ngunguuni, Kitise-Kithuki Ward.

Hundreds of residents turned up for the free medical camp, which offered essential healthcare services, including cancer screening, HPV vaccination, diabetes management, and nutrition services.

Leading the initiative, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili urged locals to prioritize their health by seeking regular medical check-ups.

She reaffirmed the County’s commitment to enhancing healthcare access and assured that similar outreach programmes would be rolled out across different parts of the County.

MAKUENI SET TO REVOLUTIONIZE WOMEN’S HEALTH WITH CUTTING-EDGE LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY.

Makueni County is set to collaborate with the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) and Women in Development to enhance maternal, newborn, and child health services across the County.

This partnership comes amid rising neo-natal mortality rates in Makueni, currently standing at 26 % of deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare interventions.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday hosted officials from Women in Development Initiative, FIGO, (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) and the Centre for Reproductive Health, where discussions centered on eliminating preventable maternal deaths, reducing neonatal and child mortality, and addressing adolescent pregnancies.

According to Prof. Beatrice Kihara, the lead champion of the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative, at least 90% of pregnant women should attend a minimum of four antenatal care (ANC) visits, while 90% of births should be assisted by skilled healthcare professionals.

Further, she emphasized that 80% of mothers and newborns require early postnatal and essential newborn care for optimal health outcomes.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr , an advocate for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), stressed the importance of nutrition for expectant mothers and infants.

The new partnership is expected to strengthen healthcare systems and improve the well-being of mothers and children across Makueni.

MAKUENI SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH OKOA MAMA NA MTOTO INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

Makueni County is set to collaborate with the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) and Women in Development to enhance maternal, newborn, and child health services across the County.

This partnership comes amid rising neo-natal mortality rates in Makueni, currently standing at 26 % of deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare interventions.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday hosted officials from Women in Development Initiative, FIGO, (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) and the Centre for Reproductive Health, where discussions centered on eliminating preventable maternal deaths, reducing neonatal and child mortality, and addressing adolescent pregnancies.

According to Prof. Beatrice Kihara, the lead champion of the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative, at least 90% of pregnant women should attend a minimum of four antenatal care (ANC) visits, while 90% of births should be assisted by skilled healthcare professionals.

Further, she emphasized that 80% of mothers and newborns require early postnatal and essential newborn care for optimal health outcomes.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr , an advocate for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), stressed the importance of nutrition for expectant mothers and infants.

The new partnership is expected to strengthen healthcare systems and improve the well-being of mothers and children across Makueni.

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD CANCER DAY AS CASES SURGE BY 31%

Makueni County First Lady Anita Mutula on Tuesday led residents in commemorating World Cancer Day at Kathonzweni Health Center, highlighting a worrying rise in cancer cases across the county.

According to statistics from Makueni County Referral Hospital, cancer cases increased from 1,745 in 2023 to 2,270 in 2024, a staggering 31% rise within a year.

In response, the County plans to expand its cancer treatment center to accommodate the growing number of patients.

She revealed that the County’s October 2024 surgical camp uncovered numerous cancer cases, particularly prostate cancer. Additionally, a breast cancer screening week in the same month recorded a 9.8% positivity rate, underscoring the need for regular screening.

Hospital registries further indicate that breast cancer was the most diagnosed type in Makueni in 2024, with 555 cases (552 women and 3 men), followed by prostate cancer at 479 and cervical cancer at 210.

However, the First Lady expressed concern over the county’s low HPV vaccine uptake, emphasizing the urgent need to protect young girls from cervical cancer.

During the event, she also launched a three-month community-based digitalized screening program targeting breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.

Makueni has been partnering with The National Cancer Institute of Kenya, Roche and Savannah Global Health Institute in the fight against Cancer among others.

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT VALIDATES DRAFT FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY

The Department of Health Services on Monday held a multi-sectoral forum at Kusyombunguo Hotel to validate a draft Food and Nutrition Policy aimed at enhancing food security and improving community well-being.

The multi-sectoral framework seeks to strengthen food and nutrition security in the County while promoting social development and overall public health.

Additionally, it provides a strategic response to the County’s unique food and nutrition challenges by identifying key factors contributing to malnutrition.

Among those who attended was Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, ECMs and officials from departments of Health Services, Agriculture, Lands, Finance, Gender, Devolution, County Attorney and a host of members of the County Assembly.

The initiative is receiving both technical and financial support from Nutrition International.

GLOBAL FUND & NASCOP DELEGATION VISITS MAKUENI TO ASSESS PROGRESS ON DISEASE CONTROL

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday hosted a high-level delegation from the Global Fund, National AIDS & STI Control Program (NASCOP), the National Treasury, Amref, and the Kenya Red Cross.

The team is in Makueni on a week-long tour to evaluate progress in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria, assess commodity security in health facilities, and strengthen coordination between the Global Fund, the Kenya Coordinating Mechanism, and the county governments.

The visit comes amid growing uncertainty across Africa following the recent announcement by the U.S. government regarding potential funding cuts for HIV, malaria, and TB programs.

Despite these concerns, Dr. Andrew Mulwa, the head of NASCOP, confirmed that there are adequate stocks of health products and technologies to last the country for 15 months.

Titus Munene from the Global Fund reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Makueni and announced plans to introduce portable digital mobile X-ray units to enhance TB screening services.

Governor Mutula raised concerns over the increase in new HIV infections in Mbooni Sub-County.

He also noted that TB cases are also on the rise, particularly in bus stop areas within Kilome and Mbooni areas, emphasizing that the introduction of portable X-ray technology will improve early detection and treatment.

During the one week visit, the delegation will tour various health facilities across Makueni and engage with healthcare workers to further strengthen disease control efforts.

COMMUNITY LEADERS URGED TO HANDLE SGBV EVIDENCE WITH CARE TO STRENGTHEN JUSTICE FOR SURVIVORS

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) advocates have been called upon to exercise utmost caution when handling evidence in cases involving survivors of sexual abuse.

This appeal was made during a one-day sensitization forum held at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote on Friday, organized to address critical gaps in the fight against SGBV.

Speaking to a gathering of local administrators, county health promoters, Nyumba Kumi officials, and other stakeholders, the county coordinator on GBV matters, Theresia Maweu, emphasized the importance of preserving evidence to ensure the successful prosecution of SGBV cases.

She expressed concern over the loss of critical court cases due to the mishandling or interference with collected evidence.

Christopher Muthama, the County Community Strategy Coordinator, echoed her sentiments, urging CHPs to collaborate closely with community leaders to bridge the knowledge gap on SGBV laws, access to justice, and evidence collection.

The forum also addressed other crucial topics, including channels for reporting SGBV cases, evidence preservation, and the reintegration of survivors into their communities.

The event was part of a broader initiative by the Department of Health Services, in partnership with the World Bank through NASCOP, to provide training and resources to combat SGBV.