Nakuru: Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the future of programmes previously funded by USAID, Nakuru County’s department of Health Services is taking measures to minimize the interruption of service delivery as mandated.
According to Kenya News Agency, County Executive Committee Member for Health, Roselyn Mungai, alongside Chief Officer for Public Health Dr. Joyce Ncece and County Director for Medical Services Dr. Daniel Wainaina led their teams to discuss sustainable strategies to navigate the current challenges and how to address them proactively.
The strategic meeting was also attended by the County AIDS and STI Coordination (CASCO) team, the TB team, County Directorate of Medical Services, Nursing Unit, Clinical teams, and laboratory team among other critical support team within the health care sector.
The CECM assured Nakuru residents of the County Government’s commitment to ensure smooth running of the sector amidst the uncertainties created by the sudden withdrawal of donor funding. She said that
Governor Susan Kihika had made a commitment to Nakuru residents on provision of quality health care services, a promise she intends to keep. Ms. Mungai assured residents that the County would continue to put in place adequate plans to ensure continuity of services even as it seeks a lasting solution to the crisis.
In an internal memo dated 31st January this year, the Chief Officer Public Health Services Dr. Joyce Ncece, suspended all contracted members of staff under the USAID Tujenge Jamii (UTJ) programme citing the USAID stop work order issued on 24th January this year. She asked all staff under the Human Resources for Health (HRH) programme to cease work immediately and await further guidance on their fate.
As a temporary measure, the Chief Officer further recalled all staff on leave and suspended the approval of leave for staff in order to bridge the gap occasioned by the suspension. She urged medical superintendents and sub county technical officers to ensure continuity of essential services delivery.
T
he stop work order caused a ripple effect on staffing capability across service delivery point, occasioned by the discontinuation of the services of staff paid by the USAID implementing partners. The second level of interruption related to the ability of all clinical staff to run the Electronic Management Records system.
In mitigation, the CECM noted, the department has intensified its roll out of integrated service delivery so that it will ensure comprehensive services are offered concurrently alongside general outpatient services to ensure a smooth running of all programmes. Further, the department deployed its county and sub county health management team to provide clinical back up. This was done through the Department’s ‘Day in Practice’ initiative.
The County Health Management Team (CHMT) was also convened to review the implementation of agreed measures and chart a way forward towards optimizing service delivery. A series of virtual meetings are planned to enable skill building on case management, unde
rtake on-the-job training programs to enhance the capabilities of healthcare providers thereby enabling them to deliver integrated critical care services that were previously supported by USAID initiatives.
‘We must intensify and diversify all these efforts because it’s our commitment to maintaining high-quality healthcare services for all residents as promised by the Governor, despite external funding disruptions,’ said Ms. Mungai.
In its health sector report issued in January 2024, the Nakuru County Government had recommended the development of a County Donor Transition Framework aimed at reducing reliance on external support through revenue generation, cost-saving measures, and diversifying funding sources. The report had also recommended the reevaluation of the budget allocations to ensure adequate funding for promotions and recruitment of health workers with a focus on retaining and attracting qualified healthcare workers.
The report also recommended the increase of budgetary allocation for HPTs, HIV
and TB programmes to ensure patients have uninterrupted access to essential medical commodities and treatment. It had also recommended a collaboration with international organizations and pharmaceutical companies to secure a stable supply of TB drugs, reducing dependency on international sources.
