News

𝐖𝐎𝐓𝐄, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 5, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — Makueni County has stepped up efforts to strengthen animal health, agroecological practices and disease surveillance through a two-day One Health Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Workshop that brought together veterinary professionals and Animal Health Service Providers.

The training, organised by the County Veterinary Directorate in partnership with Inades Formation Kenya, was held under the theme “One Health in Practice: Strengthening Agroecological Systems and Animal Health for Sustainable Development.”

The workshop provided for a platform to Sub-County Veterinary Officers and private animal health practitioners to enhance their skills in disease detection, prevention and reporting, responsible antimicrobial use, animal welfare and agroecological approaches.

Opening the training on Thursday, Agriculture Chief Officer Julius Mwania reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disease surveillance and coordination among Veterinary, Public Health, Environment and Water departments.

Speaking on the second day of the training, Inades Formation Kenya Chief Executive Officer Joseph Munywoki asked encouraged participants to embrace a practical One Health approach, recognising the close link between healthy animals, healthy people and a healthy environment.

The training concluded on Friday with resolutions aimed at strengthening collaboration between public and private animal health practitioners and improving disease surveillance and sustainable livestock production across Makueni.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Jhpiego, Dr Allyson Bear, has commended Makueni County for allocating 39 per cent of its budget to health services, saying the commitment demonstrates the county’s determination to keep healthcare accessible to its people.

Dr Bear spoke during a cocktail dinner at the Radisson Blu Arboretum in Nairobi, attended by health sector stakeholders, including Kenya’s Chief Nursing Officer, Dr Judith Awinja, officials from the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization and the US Embassy, among others.

The event was held to celebrate partnerships that have contributed to improved health outcomes, particularly in maternal and child health.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili expressed appreciation to Jhpiego for its longstanding partnership with the county, saying the organisation had helped introduce innovative solutions that have improved maternal and child health services.

One of the key interventions introduced through the partnership is heat-stable carbetocin, popularly known in Makueni as “Kausha”, which is used to help prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth.

Through the AMPLI-PPH project, Makueni became one of the first counties to adopt new World Health Organization-recommended interventions for managing postpartum haemorrhage.

These included calibrated drapes for measuring blood loss and a rapid first-response treatment bundle.

The partnership has also transformed care for women living with obstetric fistula.

Together with Jhpiego, Makueni established a comprehensive fistula centre at the County Referral Hospital, which is now recognised as a model for routine fistula care in Kenya.

Beyond surgery, the programme provides counselling, rehabilitation, community integration and support aimed at restoring the dignity of women who have often suffered in silence for years.

In family planning, 55 per cent of mothers in Makueni leave health facilities with a family planning method within 48 hours of delivery, making the county a leading performer in Kenya on the indicator.

The county has also committed its own-source resources to sustain and scale up the innovations beyond the lifespan of donor-supported projects.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has been recognised as a champion of efforts to prevent and manage postpartum haemorrhage.