Community health workers in Murang’a county have received 1,000 blood pressure monitors to help manage patients at home.
More than 3,000 volunteers receive a stipend from the county and are instrumental in taking care of the poor.
With the machines, the volunteers will be able to detect undiagnosed cases of hypertension and refer patients to health facilities.
Murang'a is one of the regions flagged by the government for having the highest number of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and cancer.
In September last year, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe raised concerns over the skyrocketing prevalence of chronic diseases.
Governor aspirant Jamleck Kamau, who donated the equipment, said he took the initiative after realising that many hypertensive patients were unaware of their conditions.
“Most of the patients only seek medical attention when it is too late, making their treatment expensive while others die,” he said.
Kamau spoke while meeting CHVs on Saturday at Murang’a Teachers’ College in an event attended by Raila Odinga's running mate Martha Karua.
He reiterated his commitment to upgrade the health sector within 100 days after his election.
Karua urged residents to vote for Raila, saying through ‘Baba Care’ he will ensure all families access quality healthcare.
Kamau has conducted free medical camps that have treated more than 60,000 patients across the county.
He said the CHVs will be trained to use the machine to detect low or high blood pressure.
The gadgets, he said, have the capacity to save lives and help thousands seek treatment in good time.
Kamau pledged that if elected he will ensure all the health workers registered with the county are facilitated.
This was after the volunteers complained that some of them had been left out of the county register and were not getting a monthly stipend.
Kamau said if well utilised, the volunteers can help boost preventive healthcare at the grassroots.
“We will work with them to sensitise residents on these diseases and how to manage them once they are diagnosed,” he said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
