Covid-19: Amref Health Africa to bring mobile clinics in Kenya to increase uptake of vaccine
Amref Health Africa, in collaboration with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and AstraZeneca, has launched an initiative to bring ten mobile clinics to Kenya.
These clinics are designed to travel to the most fragile people who have not yet received the first dose of the Covid vaccine.
When fully operational, the ten clinics will be able to reach 1,000 people a day and help increase access and uptake of the vaccine in Kenya.
“The Mobile Vaccine Clinic (MVC) is for enhancing last-mile access for Diabetes, Hypertension, and Covid-19 vaccination,” Dr. Catherine Kanari- UHC Lead at Amref Health Africa said.
“The county Government of Bungoma will adopt an integrated approach where other primary health care (PHC) interventions will additionally be offered in the package.”
In Bungoma County, Amref Health Africa has partnered with the County Government to address Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) such as bilharzia and intestinal worms.
The goal is to eliminate these diseases by 2025 through community-based and school interventions, including enhanced WASH & NTDs integration, mainstreaming BCC integration, mass drug administration, and capacity building of health promoters.
Additionally, Amref and its affiliates conducted a screening and surgical treatment camp for women with obstetric fistula in Webuye County Referral Hospital, aiming to increase awareness and treat at least 50 women suffering from the condition.
Bungoma is also among the counties that will benefit from a Primary Health Care (PHC) project that will also be implemented in Machakos, Nyeri, Embu, and Nakuru Counties.
The project will be implemented by the Bungoma Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) network that works in Bungoma to ensure that there is increased uptake of Antenatal care (ANC) visits in health facilities, reduced teenage pregnancy, and strengthened referral systems in health facilities in Bungoma County.
Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka has launched Primary Health Care (PHC) at Mechimeru health centre in East Sang’alo ward, Kanduyi constituency.
“The launch is a demonstration of my commitment to ensuring residents get quality and affordable healthcare,” said Governor Lusaka. “PHC aims to ensure the highest possible level of health and well-being and their equitable distribution by focusing on people’s needs.”lusaka told Nation newspaper
The government has allocated Sh200 million this financial year for effective implementation of PHC activities. In collaboration with development partners, the governor also launched a PHC caravan to promote proactive outreach services to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, cancer, mental health illnesses and increase immunization coverage.
“The county government is establishing health centres in all 45 wards in Bungoma County,” said Governor Lusaka. “Community health promoters will be given CHP kits to enhance community-level service provision and will be trained on digital data collection.” said lusaka
The Governor also announced an increase in their stipend to Sh2,500 with the National Government also giving the same amount.