Trans Nzoia County has stepped up the fight against non-communicable diseases through a new partnership with two key players in the health sector.
The Department of Health and Sanitation received a major technological boost following a donation of tablets to help improve data collection and storage.
The tablets, donated by the World Diabetes Foundation in partnership with Medtronic Labs, will also transform relevant data collection and patient monitoring in county health facilities.
Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation, Dr Judith Simiyu, hailed the initiative as a milestone for the health sector in the region
“This partnership is a big step forward. With these tablets, our facilities will be able to collect patient data in real time, which will help us plan better, especially when budgeting for medicines,” she said.
The tablets will primarily capture data for patients battling diabetes and high blood pressure—conditions that continue to strain the county’s health resources.
County director of health and sanitation Dr Isaac Kisiangani said the move will improve evidence-based decision-making in efforts to deal with NCDs.
“With accurate data fed into the National Kenya Health Information System (NKHIS), we’ll know exactly how many patients are affected in each ward and sub-county. This will guide resource allocation and medication purchases more effectively."
He added that the initiative aligns with the government’s wider strategy of integrating NCDs management into primary healthcare services.
Dr Emmanuel Mwengi who heads the NCD Unit, said the tablets will first be deployed in Kiminini and Kwanza sub-counties. He applauded Medtronic Labs for supporting grassroots healthcare delivery.
“These gadgets will allow us to track patients more closely and ensure they follow up on medication and clinic visits. It’s a game-changer for our health workers,” he said.
He urged residents with diabetes and hypertension to seek care at the nearest health facilities, assuring them of improved services.
He emphasised the importance of safeguarding and responsibly using the devices:
“This system is not just about technology—it’s about transforming lives by ensuring continuity of care and better monitoring for patients,” he said.
Dr Simiyu said the county had enhanced service delivery at its health facilities to be able to deal with all kinds of ailments including NCDs.
