The Turkana government has been rated among the top counties in the establishment of primary healthcare networks.
The Primary Care Network (PCN) is a strategic approach developed by the national government to establish connections between health facilities and the community.
Director for Medical Services Ekiru Kidalio said PCN aims to promotes a seamless approach to delivering primary healthcare.
He said strengthening primary healthcare is crucial for achieving the universal health coverage.
Kidalio said Turkana county is ranked number 15 among counties nationwide, indicating positive progress toward its commitment to providing universal healthcare.
He said the achievement was revealed at a PCN status update meeting organised by the county department of health and sanitation, supported by Amref Health Africa in Kenya and other health stakeholders.
“The department will recruit and train CHWs to deliver PHC services, enhancing capacity building and advocating community sensitisation on the importance of PHC,” Kidalio said.
He has urged stakeholders to build the capacity of community health promoters to enhance and standardise PHC service delivery.
Kidalio said the county has rolled out seven PCNs, with four more yet to be established in Aroo, Suguta, Turkana East and Turkana South subcounties.
Family health director Gabriel Lopodo said the PHC framework ensures that quality primary healthcare services are available and accessible to the population.
“With the establishment of PCNs, we can expand access to quality PHC and intensify PCN rollout to achieve UHC as per the national requirement,” he said.
Primary healthcare deputy director Peter Ekope said the health department is scaling up PCN implementation and will employ strategic communication and advocacy tools to guide PHC/PCN efforts moving forward.
