Health Partnership

Meru county government has partnered with a nongovernmental organization in a deal that will see Community health volunteers given smart phones for use in promoting preventive health.

The special smart phones to be given by the Henry Family Advised Fund foundation will be used to identify children suffering from cleft lips and palates and other surgical neglected conditions.

The foundation works with the International Collaboration of Essential Surgery.

Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi said the volunteers will use the smart phones to collect of data in different parts of the county.

Speaking when he signed a MOU with the Henry Family Advised Fund foundation, governor Murungi said the county was keen on using digital systems to boost health care in the county.

He said the use of digital equipment to collect and analyse data would increase efficiency and response to those in need.

“The county government will provide training facilities to train the workers in the health campaign. Our partners the Henry Family foundation will provide the expertise and linkages as the administration works to reach those affected by Neglected Surgical Diseases (NSDs),” governor Murungi said.

The NSDs includes cleft lip and palate, cataracts, hernia and clubfoot.

Dr Jaymie Henry from the fund said it was important to identify and conduct appropriate surgeries to the people who suffer from the ‘neglected’ conditions as they can lead to disability.

“We will promote surgical interventions that save lives and prevent permanent disabilities and life threatening conditions through treatment of children born with congenital defects and mothers with Obstructive Labor Complications such as Obstetric fistula,” Dr Jaymie said.

She said the conditions had become neglected yet many people suffering from them are affected in terms of productivity.

Governor Kiraitu said the foundation will start off by working with the 1500 Meru County community health volunteers and MYS Health Workers.

The Foundation also aims to fast track referrals from the field and Level 4 hospitals to level 5 hospitals.