Nakuru County Governor, H.E. Susan Kihika welcomed Dr. Atul Gawande, the Global Health Assistant Administrator from USAID, for discussions on the progress of Primary Healthcare in the region.
Governor Kihika expressed Nakuru County’s commitment to fortifying the capacity and service delivery of Levels 1, 2, and 3 hospitals. The goal is to establish a robust foundation for healthcare provision, focusing on critical aspects such as training health workers, financing health facilities, and establishing collaborations with development partners to enhance health services.
Highlighting the priority given to healthcare, Governor Kihika revealed that 40 percent of the County budget is dedicated to health initiatives. She underscored the role of partnerships with esteemed organizations like USAID, emphasizing their instrumental role in financing healthcare projects. The Governor emphasized that the ongoing primary healthcare network rollout, initiated in Bahati Sub County, would extend across the entire County.
Dr. Atul Gawande commended the effective implementation and digitization of the primary healthcare network. He noted that this initiative enables the electronic tracking of ailments and their progression in patients, marking a significant leap in healthcare management. Dr. Gawande shared positive outcomes, citing a reduction in the percentage of deaths from 60 to 40 in Nakuru County.
Governor Kihika expressed gratitude for the support from USAID and reiterated her administration’s dedication to enhancing primary healthcare. Dr. Gawande pledged ongoing assistance to Governor Kihika’s administration in its endeavors to elevate primary healthcare services in Nakuru County.
Present were ;County Secretary Samuel Mwaura, Health CEC Roselyne Mungai, Chief of Staff Peter Ketienya, Public Health Chief Officer Alice Abuki, USAID Deputy Mission Director Bert Ubamadu, and USAID Health Director John Kuehnle, among others.
This collaborative effort signifies a transformative step towards a more resilient and responsive healthcare system in Nakuru County, demonstrating the power of partnerships in advancing public health initiatives. The commitment from both local and international stakeholders sets the stage for continued progress and improved healthcare outcomes for the residents of Nakuru County.
