Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii is rolling out a healthcare plan to benefit vulnerable residents, among them people with disabilities and senior citizens in the county.
Bii, popularly known as Koti Moja, said the healthcare plan to be known as Koti Care will be rolled out in partnership with other stakeholders in the health sector.
The health sector players supporting Koti Care include private hospitals, pharmacies and medical professions working within and outside the county.
More than 2,000 residents of Langas ward benefited from a free medical camp organised by the county government as part of the initial activities under the Koti Care programme.
The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital is also among the leading medical institutions supporting the initiative.
Speaking during the launch, Bii said he was keen to implement his “Nguzo Kumi” manifesto where provision of quality and affordable healthcare had been given top priority.
“Under Koti Care, the very vulnerable members of our community and people with special needs will receive quality and affordable healthcare. We have enhanced the infrastructure of 100 health facilities in our county to provide better services to our people,” he said.
The governor said senior citizens and PWDs will be enrolled into the National Hospital Insurance Fund to enable them to access healthcare services.
County clinical services chief officer Dr Paul Wangwe Ongeti said they will move out to identify some of the medical challenges in the region, especially those affecting special groups like PWDS.
He said that during the recent medical camp at Langas, residents were diagnosed with eye problems and non-communicable diseases.
“We had gynaecologists, ears, nose and throat doctors (ENT), dentists, among other health experts who provided free medical care to the most vulnerable members of our society," Wangwe said.
He said the free medical camps would be carried out in all the six subcounties of Uasin Gishu.
“Governor Bii initiated the plan to enhance medical care for our people because he has identified health as a key priority for our people,” Wangwe said.
There are plans to build a level 4 hospital to meet the anticipated upsurge of clients after the elevation of Eldoret town to city status. The new hospital will also help to ease congestion at the Moi referral hospital.
