• Sat. Feb 8th, 2025

Taarifa News

Latest News Around the Globe

Health PS Says Digitalizing Sector Will Aid In Accountability

Jan 1, 2024 #Harry Kimtai, #Health PS
2,937 300

By Isabella Maua
The health sector in Kenya is yet to be fully digitalized in the quest to curb misappropriation of funds and theft of medicines in health facilities.

Speaking at Mt. Elgon Sub County Hospital on Sunday while handing over a 20 million shilling state-of-the-art ambulance, Principal Secretary for Health and Sanitation, Harry Kimtai, emphasized the need for embracing technology.

“President Ruto has endlessly talked of the digital economy and the creation of job opportunities through ICT; primary healthcare is key, and as such, we should serve as an example,” Kimtai accentuated.

On the other hand, he divulged that through Kenya’s collaboration with the United Kingdom, seven companies have been accredited to recruit over 15,000 nurses who are to be deployed to the UK.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka expressed his gratitude to the Kenya Kwanza administration for prioritizing health care and lauded the PS’s quick response to the cry of the Mt. Elgon people.

“Less than a week ago, a request through the board of Mt. Elgon Sub County Hospital was made to PS to purchase an ambulance to aid the growing facility, which is in dire need of renovation. Little did we know it would be too soon,” said Lusaka exhilaratingly.

The county boss also affirmed residents of full accountability for medicines through computerized services effective January 2024 as the hospital steadily attains its referral status.

“This facility, being one of the oldest in this region, is yet to be upgraded and receive more medics; so far, we have deployed over 235 nurses across the county, and Community Health Promoters have received the required training,” reported Lusaka.

He also revealed that the CHPs will be receiving phones and equipment for checking blood pressure and sugar levels to ensure the primary healthcare objective is attained as per the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.

Besides, the governor pledged 1 million shillings to purchase hospital beds for the facility by the first week of January.

Bungoma County Director for Health Services, Dr. Caleb Wanambisi, encouraged the residents to acquire NHIF cards and make due payments to enjoy free medical services in health facilities.

Elgon Ward MCA George Kwemoi in his speech thanked the government for its support and requested urgent action to enable functionality of X-ray, blood test machines and purchase of a higher capacity generator to aid in power back up besides construction of a mortuary.

Conclusively, PS Kimtai accentuated the need for leaders to work diligently at local, county, and national levels to enable accountability of resources nationally so as to achieve the government’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Also present were Bungoma Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany, Health and Sanitation CECM Dr. Andrew Wamalwa, and Education Chief Officer Nicholas Kiboi, among other area leaders.
 
 
 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *