Health

MUTULA KILONZO JR. BOLSTERS HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN KAITI.

Makueni Governor, Mutula Kilonzo Jr., on Thursday, commissioned two utility ambulances and an advanced x-ray machine at Mutungu Sub-county Hospital during a development tour of Kilungu Ward .

These ambulances will improve the mobility of patients, supporting the governor’s ongoing commitment to providing quality healthcare for the people of Makueni.

In addition, the governor, alongside his deputy Lucy Mulili, said the ambulances will therefore reduce the referral turnover time hence improving on service delivery while the x-ray would contribute to better diagnostic accuracy and streamlining medical workflows.

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH MAKUENI COUNTY TO ESTABLISH COMPREHENSIVE CARE CLINIC

Makueni County has partnered with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to construct a comprehensive care clinic at Makindu Subcounty Hospital. The project, valued at Ksh. 6.8 Million, aims to address the pressing space constraints at the facility, thereby enhancing the quality of care for over 2,000 patients.

The new clinic is expected to create a safer environment for patients while also reducing HIV-related stigma and improving confidentiality in patient care.

During the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Dr. Stephen Ndolo, the Chief Officer for Health Services, emphasized the nature of this initiative, describing it as an important milestone for local residents seeking medical assistance.

The foundations’ CEO Dr. Sam Kinyanjui stated that the clinic is scheduled for completion in January 2025,saying the development underscores their commitment in improving healthcare access and outcomes in the region.

FREE SURGICAL & CATARACT CAMP!

Are you or a loved one in need of medical attention? This is your chance!

-Completely Free

– All surgical conditions will be addressed

-Top surgeons in the country, led by the President of the Surgical Society of Kenya will be in Wote, Makueni.

Get screened at your nearest health facility and receive a referral for this exclusive camp!

Venue: Makueni County Referral Hospital (MCRH)

Dates: 21st – 26th October 2024

Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity!

ENHANCING WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH

In an effort to enhance workplace mental health, the Department of Health Services is implementing an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides rehabilitation services and mental health support aimed at boosting productivity and service delivery.

During the International Mental Health Day celebrations at the Mother and Child Hospital, Chief Officer in charge of Health Services Dr. Ndolo emphasized the importance of fostering a sustainable mentally healthy workforce.

Dr. Ndolo urged staff to be vigilant against burnout, cautioning that excessive work can lead to decreased performance. The event was attended by county staff and community member.

MAKINDU SUB-COUNTY HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST HEALTH FACILITIES IN MAKUENI.

Makindu Sub-County Hospital is one of the busiest health facilities in Makueni, providing life-saving care not only to Makueni residents but also to patients from neighboring counties, including Kajiado, Taita Taveta, and Kitui.

Strategically located along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, the hospital frequently handles road traffic accident victims.

Recognizing this challenge, the County Government established a state-of-the-art trauma center at the hospital.

This development enhances the hospital’s capacity to deliver timely and specialized care to patients in critical condition. The Ministry of Health

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH AIC CURE HOSPITAL AND ARD TO BOOST PEDIATRIC CARE, WATER GOVERNANCE, AND CLIMATE ACTION.

On Monday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two key organizations: AIC Cure Children’s Hospital of Kenya and ARD, a prime contractor for USAID’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program.

AIC Cure Children’s Hospital of Kenya, a Christian non-profit organization, specializes in pediatric surgical care, focusing on children with physical and neurological disabilities.

This partnership aims to enhance the provision of ortho-pediatric surgeries and rehabilitation services for children with corrective physical disabilities at the Makueni County Referral Hospital and Makindu Sub-County Hospital.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to improve access to these essential healthcare services.

Additionally, the county has entered into a partnership with ARD (WASH-FIN2) to bolster governance in the water and sanitation sector, improve service delivery, and mobilize financing for the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.

Makueni County is currently implementing FLLoCA activities, which aim to establish a national model for decentralizing funds to counties and empowering local communities to have a greater influence in addressing climate-related challenges.

TRANSITION TO SOCIAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

Government of Makueni County through the Department of Health Services, has signed an agreement with the Social Health Authority (SHA) for the provision of health services across all public health facilities within the county. This agreement marks the smooth transition of services from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, effective 1st October 2024. From this date, all county health facilities will offer services according to the SHA benefits package.

Residents of Makueni are encouraged to continue self-registering for SHA by dialing *147# and following the prompts or by visiting the SHA website at www.sha.go.ke. For those requiring assistance, support is available at any Level 4 hospital or SHA (formerly NHIF) offices throughout the county.

Additionally, the county is in the process of training Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to assist residents with self-registration at the household level.

Makueni County will continue to register and provide services under the MakueniCare initiative, as outlined in the Makueni Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Policy.

Dr. Paul Musila

County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Health Services

Makueni County

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD CONTRACEPTION DAY 2024 IN EMALI.

Hundreds of women and girls gathered in Emali town on Thursday to undergo clinical screenings for diabetes and hypertension as they marked world contraception day.

The event, organized by the Makueni County Government in collaboration with various partners, aimed to empower women and girls by providing information and resources on contraceptive options.

Dr. Harvey Mulei, Chief Officer for Health Human Resource Management and Administration, led the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that every pregnancy is planned and wanted.

He also noted that Emali Hospital has been upgraded and gazetted as a Level 4 facility, with plans underway to establish a surgical theater and install additional medical equipment.

Dr. Mulei further pledged that the county would mobilize more resources and secure funding to enhance access to quality contraceptive services.

He urged residents along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway to remain vigilant against mpox.

Additionally, Dr. Mulei encouraged locals to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which will replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) starting October 1st, to ensure access to medical services.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR RECEIVES DELEGATION FROM NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL.

On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili welcomed a high-level delegation from Nutrition International, led by the organization’s Vice President of Program Operations, Dr. Paula Tanaglia.

The delegation was in Makueni to assess the progress of ongoing nutrition programs and more specific on Adolescent Health and Nutrition program that supports adolescent girls and boys in the county.

Nutrition International has partnered with Makueni County to implement a comprehensive health and nutrition program aimed at improving the health of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, newborns, children under five, and adolescents.

The Adolescent health and nutrition initiative involves a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Departments of Health Services, Teacher Service Commission and Gender by providing adolescents with Nutrition education and weekly iron and folic acid supplements (WIFS) to boost their feeding practices and avert anaemia and its symptoms among the girls.

The program is currently being implemented in 590 schools across the County.

Program coordinators reported significant improvements in adolescent health and nutrition, as well as enhanced academic performance among girls and a reduction in absenteeism in schools among others.

Mulili expressed her appreciation for the partnership and announced plans to increase budget allocations to expand the program further.

In addition to the nutrition initiative, Nutrition International has also partnered with the county to implement gender mainstreaming in adolescent health and nutrition, a program spearheaded by the deputy governor.

The initiative has been piloted in 20 schools across Kaiti, Makueni, Mbooni, and Kibwezi West sub-counties.

Dr. Paula Tanaglia, Nutrition International’s Vice President of Program Operations, expressed her delight at witnessing the positive impact the program has had on the children.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL TO TACKLE FOOD SECURITY AND MALNUTRITION THROUGH NEW POLICY.

In a strategic effort to address nutritional challenges in Makueni, the Department of Health Services has partnered with Nutrition International to develop a Food and Nutrition Security Policy.

This policy aims to tackle these issues by outlining key strategies, commitments, and an implementation framework designed to enhance nutrition and food security.

On Thursday, the Makueni Health Assembly Committee reviewed the draft policy, offering critical input before it is presented to the County Assembly for adoption.

During the forum, Nutrition International’s Country Director, Martha Nyangaya, urged participants to reconsider the advertising of fast foods near schools, drawing a parallel to the restrictions placed on alcohol and cigarettes. She noted that such marketing contributes significantly to poor nutrition among children.

Health Services Chief Officer, Dr. Stephen Ndolo, emphasized the importance of a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach to the policy’s implementation, noting that this synergy is key to fostering social development and improving public health outcomes.

County Executive Committee Member in charge of Devolution,County administration,public participation & special programs Japheth Mang’oka opened the forum.