The Turkana government, through the Health ministry, has purchased Sh12 million laboratory equipment to boost services.
Health and Sanitation executive Jane Ajele said the county has procured the 15 equipment to be distributed in five subcounties to support diagnosis and management of noncommunicable diseases, malaria, blood transfusion and RMNCAH services.
"The 175 health facilities offering services to residents will directly benefit from the purchase and decentralisation of medical laboratory equipment," she said.
The equipment includes two biosafety cabinets, four chemistry analysers, three haematology analysers, two urine strip readers, two microscopes, an ESR machine and a coagulometer.
Ajele said decentralisation of medical equipment is a deliberate strategy to improve access to the best attainable services at the subcounty level and make room for the Lodwar County Referral Hospital laboratory to concentrate on critical cases.
The facilities receiving the new equipment are expected to reduce referrals and enjoy improved capacity to expand the quality of services.
Gilchrist Lokoel, the county director of medical services, said decentralisation is in line with the need of the ministry to stay on course towards attaining full Universal Health Coverage status and contribute towards improved health — part of the national government's Big Four Agenda.
(Edited by F'Orieny)
