Turkana,
Thursday March 21, 2024
KNA by Peter Gitonga
A total of 240 children and adults have been treated while 145 women received antenatal care services during a joint human and animal health outreach conducted in Lochorangkalalio in Lokiriama Sub County.
On nutrition, 279 children and pregnant and lactating mothers were screened.
Over 500 immunization injections were administered with the HPV vaccine being the highest at 80.
Hundreds of Lochorangkalalio residents and their livestock turned up for the One Health outreach, dubbed “Kimormor” which sought to bring government services closer to the pastoralists residing along the international borders.
The two-day exercise, which is a collaborative effort of the County Government and multiple stakeholders, aimed at providing outpatient services, immunization, eye care services, and nutrition.
It also aimed at increasing the uptake of animal health services to control zoonotic diseases among the pastoralist community.Moreover, it offered identification cards (ID) and birth certificate registration as well as Social Hospital Insurance Fund registration.
The activity was also part of an assessment of USAID Kenya Mission Deputy Director Health Office Heidi O’Bra and team who were in the county to experience first-hand the ‘Kimormor’ activity as well as interact with the community and service providers.
Through her engagements, O’Bra expressed her appreciation for the partnership in implementing the one health approach terming it a milestone towards a healthy population.
“The visit and feedback from the community will inform on continued support for the initiative,” she said.On behalf of the community, Mzee Kodet appreciated the County government and its partners for integrating the one health outreach service which he said has improved both human and animal health in the region.
He however appealed for more veterinary extension services particularly vaccination and treatment to other parts of the sub-county.
A total of 227 households benefitted from animal health services that included vaccination and treatment of 4,449 goats, 3313 sheep, 400 cattle, and 518 camels.Stakeholders involved in the outreach were County Government officers from Health, Livestock Development, and Environment as well as partner representatives from USAID Imarisha Jamii, International Rescue Committee, Core Group Partners’ Project, TUPADO, and Save the Children.
Courtesy; KNA
