Kakamega health facilities are facing a fresh assessment as national health regulatory bodies descend on the county to examine the quality of care, with maternal and child health services taking centre stage.
The multiagency team comprises the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB).
The team will assess health facilities across the county and identify gaps requiring intervention, with its findings expected to inform both the national and county governments on measures needed to improve healthcare services.
Speaking during the entry meeting, County Executive Committee Member for Health Services CPA Livingstone Imbayi welcomed the delegation and outlined measures being implemented under Governor Fernandes Barasa’s quality healthcare agenda.Imbayi said the county is also expected to deploy 265 newly recruited health workers across its health facilities following the recently concluded recruitment exercise.
“The county is expected to deploy 265 newly recruited health workers across its health facilities,” said Imbayi.
Photo|Kakamega Health CECM LIvingstone Imbayi
Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr David Alilah said Kakamega had invested heavily in health infrastructure, particularly in strengthening maternal healthcare services.
“The county has invested heavily in health infrastructure,” said Alilah, pointing to modern maternity wards at Likuyani, Lumakanda, Malava, Matungu and Butere Sub-County hospitals.
Alilah further revealed that construction of maternity theatres was ongoing at Khwisero, Iguhu and Shamakhubu hospitals.
“Construction of maternity theatres is ongoing at Khwisero, Iguhu and Shamakhubu hospitals,” he said.
Chief Officer for Public Health Rose Muhanda highlighted the role of Community Health Promoters in encouraging expectant mothers to seek antenatal care.
“Community Health Promoters play an important role in encouraging expectant mothers to attend antenatal care,” Muhanda said.
She noted that increased awareness of antenatal care had contributed to improved health outcomes in the county.The regulatory assessment comes as Kakamega seeks to strengthen maternal and child health services while addressing gaps in healthcare delivery across its facilities.
Also present were KMPDC Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Willis Ochieng, Director of Medical Services Dr Stephen Wandei and County Reproductive Health Coordinator Beverly Wambani.