Turkana: The Department of Health and Sanitation has completed a five-day joint support supervision mission in Turkana North, with the aim of enhancing service delivery and strengthening community health systems.
According to Kenya News Agency, the exercise was supported by Save the Children and involved assessments of facilities and services at Lokitaung Sub-County Hospital, Lomekwi, Nachukui, Riokomor, Moruangibuin, and Naduat dispensaries, as well as Lowarengak and Kaaleng Health Centres. The supervision focused on community outreach support, health data quality verification, staffing needs, governance, financial management, and the delivery of the Kenya Essential Package for Health (KEPH), which includes immunization, essential medicines, and medical supplies.
The supervision also evaluated utilities, equipment, infrastructure, and the general environment of the facilities. It was led by Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health Services Janerose Tioko and included an 11-member delegation from the County Government and the Turkana North Sub-County Health Management Teams, with experts from Monitoring and Evaluation, Medical Services, Nutrition, and Nursing.
The initiative was prompted by inconsistencies in health data from the region, particularly reports of high defaulter rates for malnourished children under five years old. At Kaekoropus outreach site, associated with Riokomor Dispensary, Tioko noted the optimal uptake of immunization services.
Community Health Volunteer Paulina Moru highlighted the benefits of outreach programs, emphasizing that they bring services closer to the community and improve nutrition outcomes for children. Riokomor Facility-in-Charge Apalia Johnstone reported that outreaches attract over 150 patients each time, surpassing the usual two-week patient count at facilities.
Despite acknowledging the benefits, community members expressed concerns about the long distances to health facilities, which discourage timely health-seeking behaviors. Village elder John Ekaran called for permanent facilities, while Tioko assured residents of plans to construct Kangarokia Dispensary.
Community Health Promoter Lochomin Mariko noted that outreaches facilitate registration for residents lacking national identification or Social Health Authority (SHA) cards. Philip Lokodetmoe added that they encourage men to seek healthcare, who might otherwise avoid facilities.
James Lobokan, Director of Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, stressed the importance of quality health data for decision-making and planning. He noted that the supervision provided an opportunity to mentor data managers towards better data production.
Save the Children Programme Officer Dominic Ekal mentioned that 25 outreach sites in Turkana North have been supported over the past two years through a collaboration between the county government and Save the Children, targeting villages with high malnutrition.
Winfred Sivu, Facility-in-Charge at Lowarengak Health Centre, reported increased malaria cases, raising concerns about stock depletion. However, Javan Inda, a pharmacist in the supervision team, confirmed sufficient countywide stocks to support the Lakezone until the next supply.
Sub-County Nutrition Officer Jemester Kakuta noted improvements in data and register management, while Sub-County Public Health Nurse Thomas Napas highlighted that underserved villages were reached, and severe malnutrition cases had decreased.
Sub-County Medical Officer of Health, Daniel Echor, described the supervision as a morale booster that strengthens advocacy and improves data reporting. Facility-in-charges Wycliff Nyakina, Samuel Simiyu, and Wambua Kioko all found the exercise enlightening and committed to applying the lessons learned to improve reporting and service delivery.