Health

MAKUENI ESTABLISHES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH AVENUE GROUP.

In a bid to strengthen healthcare services, the Makueni County Government has established a strategic partnership with Avenue group, Nairobi.

This collaboration aims to establish a two-way platform for surgical training, mentorship, and research.

On Wednesday, the governor alongside Dr. Shannon Shibata-Germanos, Head of Proximie Global Health, visited Avenue group’s headquarters in Nairobi to discuss this promising alliance.

Governor Mutula emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative relationship that would allow Makueni’s sub-county health facilities to work closely with Avenue group both digitally and in person.

This partnership is expected to include joint workshops, surgical training camps, mentorship programs, research initiatives, live demonstrations, and the co-publication of medical findings.

In attendance were Prof.Paul Odula, Head of Department of Surgery at the institution and Dr. Michael Mwachiro, Head of Gastroenterology among others.

COUNTIES GATHER TO LEARN TELE-SURGERY FROM MAKUENI

Top health officials from Murang’a, Nakuru, and Mombasa counties on Wednesday gathered at the Council of Governors’ offices in Nairobi to learn from Makueni’s successful use of technology in the practice of surgery within the county hospitals.

As a pioneer in integrating Proximie technology, Makueni County has made strides in enhancing surgical procedures through the use of real-time video feeds.

This innovation has not only improved surgical outcomes, but has also facilitated the learning and mentorship of clinicians and medical interns within the county.

The meeting focused on counties coming together to create synergies, explore sustainable implementation strategies, and support the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals for the benefit of local communities. Digital health, as envisioned in the Digital Health Act 2023, will be optimally achieved once modern technology is embraced by all players.

Additionally, there was an emphasis on documenting these processes to share the impact across counties and with the Maarifa center within Council of Governors.

Shannon Shibata Germanos, Head of Proximie Global Health, emphasized that Proximie accelerates surgical training by allowing clinicians to observe procedures, learn new techniques, and exchange feedback from anywhere in the world and on any device.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. highlighted the successes achieved with the cutting-edge technology, stressing that a team-based approach, focused on evidence-based best practices, patient safety, and communication, has been crucial in strengthening surgical outcomes in Makueni.

Governor Kilonzo expressed his hope that modern technology would be adopted nationwide, championed by all 47 governors.

The effectiveness of this technology has already been recognized by Kenyatta National Hospital and the University of Nairobi, both of which have adopted practices learned from Makueni.

COG’s Director Khatra Ali acknowledged the potential of Proximie technology for county-based training, noting that it could help retain medics who might otherwise take study leave, creating gaps in staffing that counties struggle to fill due to budget constraints.

MAKUENI HEALTH DEPT. AND THINKWELL REVIEW HPT MANAGEMENT, FOCUS ON OPTIMIZED FINANCING

The Department of Health Services, in partnership with ThinkWell, on Monday convened county pharmaceutical managers for a two day meeting aimed at reviewing the county’s customized Health Products and Technologies (HPT) management functions.

Thinkwell is an organization that helps low- and middle-income countries improve their healthcare systems to ensure everyone has access to affordable healthcare.

Their discussions focused on optimizing HPT financing, and refining data review mechanisms.

The organization has been instrumental in supporting Makueni by implementing effective health financing strategies that ensure sufficient resources are allocated to primary healthcare facilities.

Their approach involves aligning commodity financing with the specific needs of healthcare facilities and streamlining procurement processes through evidence-based methods.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

The department of Health Services in collaboration with Rotary Club Magharibi, Surgical Society of Kenya and other partners will hold a one week free surgical camp from 21st to 25th October 2024.

In preparation for the camp patients will be asked to visit their nearest Subcounty hospital for Screening. Screening will be done at all Subcounty hospitals and patients will be referred to MCRH and Makindu For further analysis and registration on the clinic days as shown below.

You are required to keep a register of all patients screened for the camp as well as those referred with details such as: Name, Phone number, Next of Kin and their phone number, Diagnosis, Facility referred to.

*Specialist Clinic days at MCRH*

General surgeon – Tuesdays

ENT Surgeon – Tuesdays

Orthopaedic surgeon – Tuesdays

Eye surgeon – Mondays and Wednesdays

Neurosurgeon – Mondays

*Special clinic days Makindu SCH*

Orthopedic clinic – Mondays

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH PATH FOR BIOMEDICAL TRAINING TO ENHANCE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS.

Makueni County, in collaboration with PATH, is conducting a specialized training program for 16 biomedical engineering technologists at Makueni Referral Hospital.

The 5 day training which begun on Monday aimes at improving healthcare instrument management and ensuring the reliability of life-saving oxygen supply systems.

The program focuses on equipping participants with essential skills in handling, repairing, and maintaining critical medical equipment.

Chief officer Dr. Stephen Ndolo and Dr. Steven Mwatha were among those who graced the event.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH PATH TO BOOST OXYGEN PLANT MAINTENANCE SKILLS

The Makueni Department of Health Services has collaborated with PATH to enhance the skills of biomedical engineering technologists across the county hospitals in operating and maintaining Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology.

This five-day intensive training program emphasizes the critical importance of occupational health and safety in oxygen plant setups.

It also equips participants with essential skills in operating and maintaining oxygen plants, including troubleshooting and repair procedures.

This initiative is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure the reliability of life-saving oxygen supply systems.

WORD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually during the first week of August. The theme for 2024 is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”

This year’s campaign will honor breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity, recognizing their unique journeys and highlighting the vital role families, communities, and health workers play in supporting them.

In Makueni, we celebrate every breastfeeding mother and advocate for equal access to breastfeeding support for all, recognizing the pivotal role fathers play in supporting women in this endeavor.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. COMMISSIONS SOLAR PROJECT AT MAKUENI COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday commissioned the solarization project at Makueni County Referral Hospital.

The hospital’s new solar energy system, designed to harness 200 kilowatts at peak capacity, is expected to save the facility Ksh. 7 million annually in electricity bills.Before installing the new system, the monthly power bill was over 1.8M. After installation, June 2024’s bill was 1.1M and July’s was 1.2M, saving the county at least 600k-700k per month.

Governor Mutula emphasized that the solar system will supplement the often unreliable grid electricity, ensuring a consistent power supply and minimizing disruptions to medical services.

Dr. Paul Musila, the Health Services CECM, noted the environmental benefits of the project, saying that it will reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint. He also announced that the savings from the reduced electricity bills will be reinvested into enhancing patient care and upgrading hospital facilities.

Governor Mutula further revealed plans to construct a new intensive care unit, surgical center, and a private wing at the county referral hospital to bolster health services.

Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, the CECM for Infrastructure Transport, Public Works, Housing and Energy remarked that the project underscores the county’s commitment to fostering a greener future through investment in renewable energy infrastructure.

Governor Kilonzo was accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Assembly Speaker Hon. Douglas Mbilu,area MCA Felix Mateso and several MCAs, CECMs, and Chief Officers, among others, during the commissioning ceremony.

GENDER-SENSITIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING AIMS TO ENHANCE INCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE IN MAKUENI COUNTY

Makueni County, in partnership with Jhpiego and the Anita Mbinya Foundation, is conducting a rigorous three-day training program designed to cultivate gender-sensitive leadership within the county’s health management teams.

The workshop’s core aim is to arm participants with the requisite knowledge and strategies to develop healthcare systems that are both inclusive and equitable. By focusing on gender-sensitive leadership, the initiative seeks to effectively tackle and diminish gender disparities in the county’s healthcare sector.

Dr. Stephen Mwatha, Ag.Director in charge of Health Services, emphasized that the modules covered in the training has topics such as resource allocation, project planning and execution, leadership assessment and development, financial management, and performance measurement and evaluation.

Addressing trainees on the second day, Dr. Paul Musila, the County Executive Committee Member for Health, encouraged participants to advocate for gender equality within their professional environments. He stressed that exemplary leadership is vital in providing women with the opportunities to network, learn, and advance in their careers.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES THE PROCESS FOR COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION POLICY DEVELOPMENT

On Tuesday, the Department of Health Services held a stakeholder sensitization forum towards development of a county nutrition policy.

The initiative, spearheaded by Nutrition International, brought together the departments of agriculture,Office of the County Attorney,education-ECDE,Water, gender,Finance,State department of social protection, State department of Education,National Drought Management Authority among others.

The policy intends to foster multi-sectoral collaboration, streamline coordination, and establish a framework for resource mobilization as well as a framework for monitoring and evaluation .

During the forum, Dr. Paul Musila, County Executive Committee Member for Health Services, highlighted the importance of mobilizing domestic resources and documenting Makueni’s good health and nutrition practices .