Bungoma county allocates over ksh200M to promote affordable healthcare PHC!

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“This is a global agenda towards promoting health services to be more accessible, affordable and acceptable”

Bungoma county Governor Hon Ken Makelo Lusaka while launching the last mile primary health care Programme PHC .

By Achola Bulimo Mathews –Bungoma County

Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka has re-affirmed his governments’ commitment to ensure residents get quality and affordable healthcare.

Speaking at Mechimeru health center in East Sang’alo ward, Kanduyi constituency, During  the  official  launch of  the  Last  Mile  Health  care  system , Governor  , Lusaka pointed out that the launch of PHC is a demonstration of his commitment and that the county government towards global, national and regional efforts to accelerate Universal Health coverage.

“This is a global agenda towards promoting health services to be more accessible, affordable and acceptable to the communities in Bungoma County,” he said.

Lusaka stated that PHC is “a whole of society” approach to health that aims at ensuring the highest possible level of health and well-being and their equitable distribution by focusing on people’s needs.

He added that his government through the implementation of PHC will align with national priorities to strengthen access to health services, ensure quality of health services, protect people of Bungoma from financial risks of ill health and strengthen the responsiveness of the health system.

Lusaka noted that his government has allocated Sh200 million this financial year for effective implementation of PHC activities.

“This is the first budget line to have ever been considered as allocation specifically for PHC since the beginning of devolution,” he said.

The governor also in collaboration with development partners managed to launch a PHC caravan which will be instrumental in promoting proactive outreach services to the communities in Bungoma County to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, cancer, and mental health illnesses and increase immunization coverage.

The county government is also establishing health centers in all 45 wards in Bungoma County, already 19 health centers exist and they are working to upgrade 26 dispensaries to health centers in the wards.

“Community health promoter’s alias Madaktari Mashinani will also be given CHP kits to enhance community level service provision,” he said.

Lusaka added, “CHP will be trained this July on digital data collection and given smart phones to enhance the capture of information from households,”

The Governor also announced that the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) formerly Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) will have an increase in their stipend to Ksh. 2,500 with the National Government to also give the same amount.

Mrs  Valentine  Morogo  the  western  region  Coordinator  of  National  health  insurance  Fund  NHIF  Noted  that  they are  going  to  continue  partnering  with  the  county  Government  of  Bungoma  to enable  more  than  30,000  households  are  enrolled  in  the  programme for the  provision  of  better  health  care  services  amongst  residents  especially  those  from  vulnerable  families.

Also  present  was  the  Bungoma  County  Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany, CECMs; Andrew Wamalwa (Health and Sanitation), David Wamamili (Education and VTCs), County Assembly Health Committee Chairman  cum  Musikoma  ward  Member  of  County  Assembly  Hon   George Makari.

 

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