Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor, Eng John Barorot on Thursday hosted officials from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) who are in the County for an inspection of health facilities.

The purpose of the courtesy call was to provide the County leadership with an update on their activities.

During the meeting, Deputy Governor Barorot revealed the County’s plans to invest in diagnostic services in collaboration with KMPDC.

He emphasized the importance of ensuring that healthcare facilities operate with proper licenses and adhere to the necessary regulations.

Eng. Barorot acknowledged that there are concerns regarding unregistered medical facilities within the County and to address this issue, The County Government of Uasin Gishu is working closely with KMPDC to conduct inspections on unregistered health facilities.

He urged residents to seek medical assistance from registered facilities and pledged to partner with the County to educate those running illegal medical operations.

As a result of the ongoing efforts, over 36 healthcare facilities have been closed, and 15 individuals have been arrested to enforce compliance and promote universal healthcare.

Deputy Governor Barorot highlighted the crucial role of monitoring in ensuring the quality and legality of healthcare services urging all that operate health facilities to comply with the necessary regulations.

Health Services CECM Dr. Abraham Serem said that the County remains committed to providing accessible and quality healthcare services to its residents by fostering collaboration with regulatory bodies like KMPDC.

According to Director Corporate Services KMPDC Mr. Philip Olekamwaro, you can now verify whether a health facility, a doctor or a community oral health officer attending to you has been licensed to operate through an SMS shortcode.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has introduced 20547 as the short code through which the public can verify the status of a medical practitioner.

To verify the licensure of a health facility, send an SMS to 20547 in the format H# followed by the full name of the facility or H# followed by the registration number of the facility.

In another event, the Deputy Governor further revealed that the region has unfortunately witnessed numerous fatalities among young boys during the circumcision initiation ceremony.

“The County is now fully committed to implementing better practices to ensure the safety and well-being of initiates,” added Eng. Barorot.

To prioritize the well-being of the initiates, the Deputy Governor said the County is set to introduce mandatory basic medical checks before the initiation can take place.

These medical assessments will help identify any potential health risks and determine the suitability of each boy for the process by adhering to these precautionary measures, the County hopes to minimize the chances of complications and ensure a safer initiation experience for all participants.

Speaking on the same matter, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Serem, disclosed that 29 boys are currently hospitalized as a result of complications arising from the initiation process. This alarming figure has prompted urgent action from the county authorities.

In response to these concerning developments, a specialized team has been selected to guide Uasin Gishu County in improving the circumcision initiation process.

Uasin Gishu County remains dedicated to safeguarding the lives of its young boys and will continue to work closely with experts and the community to align the best and safest practices for circumcision initiation.