Meru county has received Sh18 million equipment for Medical Electronic Records Programme.
Speaking when he received the equipment on Saturday, Governor Kiaritu Murungi said they have had challenges on information and record-keeping making it hard for efficient service delivery.
The ICT equipment included laptops, desktops and servers.
They were donated by Jamii Tekelezi chief of party Mutugi M'Murithi, Christian Health Association of Kenya general secretary Samuel Mwenda and Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies and National Organization for Peer Educators.
They were handed over to the health department and will enhance records and data management for health facilities.
They will aid in managing HIV/AIDS situation in Meru.
Kiraitu said he was worried about the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.
He said the main hindrance to fighting the disease was bad judgement among youths and poor data-keeping.
“With the current prevalence of 2.6 per cent out 1.5 million people, there is a need for caution. Stop going to places where your judgement is compromised,” Kiraitu said.
“Encourage behaviours that do not expose you to the disease. We dream for zero HIV prevalence.”
He thanked the organizations led by Jamii Tekelezi for the donation.
Kiraitu said his administration will continue seeking and strengthening partnerships to ensure a sufficient supply of ICT equipment for efficient management of records and data in all facilities.
Meru Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu urged people to exercise caution and personal discipline to help fight HIV/AIDS.
“HIV is not contracted through the air. Let people party with mannerism,” Ntuchiu said.
He said the donations are timely because the hefty budgetary requirements for buying them will now be directed to other programmes that need financing.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris