Integrated medical outreaches promote healthy communities

Turkana,

Thursday, October 26, 2023

KNA by Peter Gitonga 

Integrated medical outreaches have assisted Turkana County Department of Health and Sanitation fulfil its mandate of ensuring a healthy population through increased access to healthcare. 

This was evident when the County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Dr. Anthony Apalia visited the Loreng'elup an integrated medical outreach in Kerio Ward, Turkana Central Sub-county. 

The team, which included a select number from the Turkana Central Sub-County Health Management team, sought to assess the services offered and their uptake, and interact with communities from the villages. 

The outreach site, supported by World Vision Kenya, is located approximately eight kilometres from the Loreng'elup Dispensary, the link facility. 

While speaking at the outreach site, Dr. Apalia said that the national and county governments were placing more emphasis on preventive health at the household level; and outreaches have been identified as one of the strategies to achieve this. 

The Sub-County Medical Officer for Health Mercy Kawira urged the community to engage with Community Health Promoters (CHPs), especially during health talks with the facility in-charge when referred to the facility for further investigation or treatment.  

The CHP Betel Lopii of Nangochoto A village highlighted that the outreach has saved the community traveling costs, and facilitated referrals for expectant mothers exhibiting signs of complications. 

Furthermore, the outreach also focuses on health talks on family planning, malnutrition management and general health education thereby ensuring that the community receives comprehensive healthcare support.

The CECM was accompanied by Sub-county Public Health Nurse Jane Atabo and Sub-county Clinical Services and NCDs Coordinator Patrick Moi.

Courtesy; KNA