County increases budgetary allocation for Health Sector

Kisii,

Wednesday, October 4 2023

KNA by Mercy Osongo 

Kisii county government has increased its budgetary allocation from Sh4 billion in the last financial year to Sh4.14 billion this year in order to increase access to quality health care services for residents. 

Speaking during the state of the county address at the Kisii County Assembly premises in Kisii town, Kisii Governor Simba Arati said the increment was aimed at improving infrastructure in the existing health facilities as well as capacity building of the health care workers. 

Arati said that over the past year, his administration has adopted a cashless payment system at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) and all Level IV hospitals. 

"After sealing the loopholes through automation at KTRH, we collected Sh98.9 million in the first quarter, Sh80.6 million in the second quarter, Sh147 million in the third quarter and Sh100.1 million in the fourth quarter," the Governor noted. 

He pointed out that they had recommended 10 officers for specialist training in oncology and trained another 60 healthcare workers in emergency obstetric and neonatal care to improve mother and child healthcare. 

The County Boss said they had repaired a total of eight ambulances and fully equipped them to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, with four ambulances offering Advanced Cardiac Life Support services, while the rest were providing Basic Life Support Services. 

"I am glad to report that the recently established Health Products and Technology Unit (HPTU) has improved forecasting, quantification, order processing and technical support to health facilities on commodity management," added Arati. 

The Governor said they are currently engaging over 2900 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) who receive Sh2,000 monthly stipends to ensure that residents get health services at the grassroots level. 

He noted the county had set aside substantial resources to complete various health facilities including Nyandiba Dispensary, Nyakeyo Dispensary, Outpatient Department (OPD) unit at Kiobonyo Dispensary and maternity wings at Keera Health Centre and Omogwa Dispensary among others. 

On agriculture, Arati said they are prioritizing the coffee sector which is a key cash crop that is a major income earner for Kisii farmers.

He pointed out they have set up demonstration plots in 59 coffee factories and flagged off the distribution of 39,000 coffee seedlings to be planted in those demonstration plots to boost coffee production. 

In addition, the Governor revealed plans by the county to set up a bulk nursery to produce over 1,000,000 banana and avocado seedlings and support availability of quality planting materials at subsidized rates. 

Other planned projects in the sector included the renovation of the Agricultural Society of Kenya demonstration unit and Ogembo slaughterhouse and equipping and reticulation of a fisheries borehole.  

On education, Arati said they have increased the allocation of the County Bursary programme to Sh225 million with each ward receiving a total of Sh5 million.

In the last financial year, the county disbursed a total of Sh145 million with each of the 45 wards receiving Sh3 million.

"You agree with me that it is important that the bursary money reaches all needy and bright children in the village and this is very crucial in realizing the dreams of these children," he noted. 

The Governor added they had invested Sh24.4 million in the construction of 22 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms, one hostel and nine pit latrines in various centres to improve infrastructure in learning institutions.  

Courtesy; KNA