Joy as mobile X-ray lands in Busia

By Peter Ochieng

The Busia county department of health and sanitation on Monday received and flagged off a Mobile Diagnostic Unit (MDU) truck.

The MDU truck was offered in kind by the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program in Busia county.

It is designed and fitted with an x-ray generator, computered radiograph system and gasoline generator.

It is intended to offer x-rays and radiology services to patients in far flung areas of the border county.

Busia Deputy Governor who doubles up as the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) incharge of Health and Sanitation, Arthur Odera welcomed the kind gesture, noting that with the truck's mobile nature, the department will achieve efficiency in delivering services in every corner of the county.

"As a department we are now forced to think about how best to deliver services without over-reliance on brick and mortar everywhere. We are going to proceed to find easy and flexible ways to deliver services to our people around the county," said the DG.

On her part, Dr. Susan Outa, Chief Officer in the Department of Health and Sanitation said going forward, she will ensure that the truck is mobile at all times and maintained throughout, so that patients can get the required services from designated radiographer and radiologists who will be going around the county.

Additionally, she pledged to make sure that added that mentorship programs at every facility which do not have an x-ray service are conducted.

Salome Sijenyi from AMPATH indicated that their top agenda is in advancing universal health coverage and access to diagnostics.

"I believe that whenever the truck will be moving across Busia County, people in remote areas will be able to access services."

She also mentioned that their priority is in scaling up the level of health expertise in Busia.