Health

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.

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.

HEALTH EXPERTS PARTNER TO COMBAT RABIES AND YELLOW FEVER IN MAKUENI COUNTY

The Department of Health Services has partnered with researchers from the University of Nairobi, KU Leuven (Belgium), and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) to engage stakeholders in developing innovative approaches to prevent rabies and yellow fever.

Makueni County is among the regions with a high burden of rabies, a vaccine-preventable zoonotic viral disease that affects the central nervous system.

As part of this collaboration, the department hosted a consultative meeting on Monday,employing participatory research methods to allow stakeholders to share diverse perspectives. These contributions will play a pivotal role in shaping policies aimed at mitigating rabies and yellow fever in the county.

Additionally, field visits will be conducted in selected healthcare facilities within the county to assess the prevalence of rabies and gather further insights for intervention strategies.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO Jr. PARTNERS WITH ILARA HEALTH TO ENHACE ULTRASOUND SERVICES IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ilara Health Limited to improve access to critical ultrasound services, particularly for pregnant women in Makueni County.

Under the agreement, Ilara Health will provide Butterfly ultrasound machines,advanced, handheld point-of-care devices capable of performing a wide range of scans that were previously carried out only at the county hospitals.

Dr. Eric Mbuthia, Chief Medical Officer at Ilara Health, noted that these devices are designed to enhance healthcare delivery by making ultrasound services more accessible at the primary care level. He highlighted that the machines can conduct up to 300 scans per month, helping to address the healthcare needs of Makueni residents.

During the event, Dr. Mbuthia demonstrated how the ultrasound devices function, emphasizing their ability to connect radiographers in Level 2 and Level 3 health facilities with specialists at the referral hospital through telemedicine for consultations on complex cases.

Governor Mutula welcomed the initiative, stating that the county plans to integrate the technology into its medical outreach programs, aiming to reach as many patients as possible. He also encouraged other counties to leverage such innovations to improve healthcare services for their populations.

This partnership is expected to greatly enhance the quality of care in Makueni, particularly for pregnant women, and strengthen the county’s healthcare infrastructure.