The Ministry of Health is determined to deal with the issue of shortage of specialised medical personnel and equipment.
Speaking during the ninth Outspan Medical College graduation ceremony in Nyeri on Saturday, Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi said the government has agreed to pay more attention to preventive and promotive health services.
She said some of the challenges the country is facing in efforts to prevent diseases include few investments in specialised training of medical professionals and lack of equipment to support medical personnel.
The government, she said, has established various institutions and initiatives within the Health ministry to ensure it lives up to the mantra "prevention is better than cure".
“We are also aware that we do have challenges when it comes to communicable diseases as well as non-communicable diseases. In fact, out of the top five diseases in Nyeri county, for instance, the top two are non-communicable," Mwangangi said.
The county, she added, has a high burden of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cancer, adding that it is a clear indicator that people need to shift their attention and focus on the emerging area of disease when it comes to non-communicable diseases.
To counter this, the CAS said, there is a need to put in place investment in public sensitisation on health issues, especially on leading a healthy lifestyle.
Others, she said, include engaging with community health workers who remain the first line of contact with the public, encouraging people to go for mass screening of non-communicable diseases and strengthening referral systems.
“We are in the process of enhancing our manpower and our support within the ministry towards community extension workers, lab technology and nurses. We intend to ensure that each dispensary and health centre has a functional laboratory service and has the basic equipment that they require,” she said.
This, she said, includes ensuring that health centres within Nyeri are linked to KNH-Othaya Annex, which is part of the referral system structure in the country.
Outspan Medical College and Outspan Hospital director Macharia Kiruhi asked the graduands to remember that their work is a calling and to uphold medical and professional ethics.
-Edited by SKanyara
