County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, Janet Kurgat, paid a courtesy call to the Chief Executive Officer of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Dr. Philip Kirwa, who was represented by Dr. Andrew Wandera.
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the county government and MTRH to improve emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, patient care, and referral services.
During the discussions, both parties underscored the importance of working together to ensure no opportunities are missed in enhancing healthcare delivery. Key areas of collaboration included quarantine preparedness, patient treatment, disease diagnosis, management of medical supplies, and the establishment of incineration facilities.
The county also announced plans to designate a dedicated ambulance for emergency response across the region, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), supply essential materials, train healthcare workers, and extend capacity-building initiatives to Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
Kurgat expressed appreciation to MTRH for its continued support, particularly in handling patient referrals and emergency response.
“We are well prepared and grateful for the assistance MTRH continues to provide during emergencies,” said Kurgat.
Additionally, she noted that the county is investing in its own incineration facilities by mobilizing resources from existing health facilities to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services, Dr. Billy Lubanga, said the county is working closely with the Kenya Red Cross to enhance emergency preparedness.
He added that county health facilities are ready to receive and manage suspected cases while Community Health Promoters continue to engage the public through awareness campaigns.
He thanked MTRH for its unwavering technical support and emphasized the need for continued public engagement on border quarantine measures.
Speaking on behalf of MTRH, Dr. Andrew Wandera welcomed the strengthened partnership, saying collaboration would significantly improve healthcare services across the county.
He revealed that the hospital has already constituted an Ebola preparedness team tasked with training county health workers, establishing screening systems, and facilitating the procurement and use of personal protective equipment. He further assured the county of MTRH’s support in establishing incineration facilities and other critical health infrastructure.
The county delegation also toured the Shoe4Africa facilities at MTRH, where they were received by Shoe4Africa Founder and CEO, Tobby Tanser.
The team inspected the Pediatric Oncology Children’s Hospital and the ongoing Pediatric Burns Hospital project, which will have a capacity of 150 beds upon completion.
Tanser highlighted the significant progress made in improving specialized healthcare services for children, saying, “The best gift you can give is a healthy nation.”
CECM Kurgat commended the Shoe4Africa C.E.O for his contribution to child healthcare, noting that the investments complement the county government’s efforts to improve access to quality specialized medical services.
The meeting and site visit were attended by Directors Laban Kiprop (Preventive and Promotive Services), Evans Kiprotich (Medical Services), Betty Chirchir (Nursing Services), and Sila Terigin (Governor’s Press).
