Tharaka Nithi County Governor Muthomi Njuki has taken significant steps in the enhancement of healthcare services in the region. In a recent ceremony at the Governor's Residence in Kajuki, he commissioned 1,267 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), a notable increase from the initial 1,000 who were part of the program's launch in 2018.
The primary healthcare initiative was conceived in response to a Cholera outbreak that affected Tharaka Nithi in 2018. Governor Njuki explained, "In 2018, Tharaka Nithi was hit by a Cholera outbreak scare, and that is how we came up with the idea of having primary healthcare managed by 1,000 Community Health Volunteers. In 2019, we partnered with organizations such as RedCross Kenya to train and equip them."
The impact of the Community Health Promoters has been substantial. Immunization rates have risen from 47% in 2018 to an impressive 95%, and hospital births increased from 44% in 2017 to 95%. Antenatal visits have improved from 56% to 68%, with the percentage of first antenatal visits reaching 98% from 96% in 2018. Malnutrition rates have been reduced from 32% to 21%, and teenage pregnancy records have improved from 18% to 10%.
The number of Community Health Units has also significantly increased, from 27 in 2018 to a remarkable 127 functional units. Governor Njuki mentioned that the county's growing population necessitates the establishment of eight additional health units to accommodate 80 more Community Health Promoters.
In the pursuit of making Tharaka Nithi County an open defecation-free zone, the governor highlighted that latrine coverage has increased from 67% in 2017 to 93%. Additionally, the healthcare referral system, which was non-functional in 2017, has been reinvigorated, with a reporting rate now at 100%.
Governor Njuki emphasized the county's focus on preventing diseases at the village level, reducing the burden on hospitals. He also announced a partnership with the private sector to enhance laboratory services at Chuka Level 5 Hospital, with state-of-the-art modern laboratory equipment being made available.
Furthermore, Tharaka Nithi County is adopting innovative technologies, including the use of drones to improve medical supply delivery and diagnosis between health facilities. The county is also utilizing geographic information system (GIS) technology to map every home, enabling CHPs to connect with the nearest health facilities.
In recognition of their critical role, the Community Health Promoters will receive a monthly stipend of KShs 7,500 each and full medical insurance coverage starting from January 2024. These initiatives and partnerships under Governor Njuki's leadership signify a significant leap forward in healthcare services for Tharaka Nithi County.
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