The Amref Health Africa in Kenya team made a courtesy call to Dr. Samuel Omondi, the Chief Officer of Health for Siaya County, on Tuesday, 22 October 2024. The purpose of the engagement was to provide an update on the progress made in collaboration with the County Government of Siaya, particularly through the Department of Health. The discussion centered on the advancements achieved in combating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) such as bilharzia, lymphatic filariasis, and dengue fever, among others.
During the meeting, the Amref team outlined upcoming projects aimed at eradicating these diseases in Siaya County. The team that will be in the County till Friday are currently conducting an assessment of NTD data which will involve community engagements and facilities across various sub-counties. This initiative follows the training of a section of healthcare workers on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of NTDs, which empowered them to effectively capture and report data into the Kenya Health Information System.
In addition to data management, the team is planning to procure essential equipment, reagents, and non-pharmaceuticals to enhance healthcare delivery. Training for Community Health Promoters (CHPs) is also included in the budget, ensuring they are well-equipped to raise awareness about NTD prevention and facilitate appropriate referrals to health facilities. This training is expected to support the county's efforts in achieving a robust Primary Care Network (PCN).
Dr. Omondi expressed his gratitude to the Amref team for their invaluable support and commended the Nyalore Government for achieving 100% household coverage by CHPs—an accomplishment that other counties continue to strive for. He highlighted the accuracy of household data collected by CHPs, noting that their twice-yearly visits provide more reliable statistics than those from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.