This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Siaya County is racing against time to meet the national government's target of 300 Covid-19 beds. According to Deputy Governor Dr. James Okumbe, the county is committed to ensuring the availability of the beds within the given timeframe.
Dr. Okumbe made the remarks while receiving donations from Self Help Africa and One Acre Fund organizations in Siaya town. The donations included two metric tons of beans and 20 water tanks with a capacity of 500 litres each.
The deputy governor said the county was making progress in constructing new wards in Siaya, Ambira, and Bondo. The new wards are expected to be ready within the next 30 days, with a 200-bed capacity in Siaya town and 50-bed capacity wards in Ambira and Bondo sub-county hospitals.
Dr. Okumbe hailed Self Help Africa and One Acre Fund for their efforts in turning around agriculture in the county. He said that through their efforts, local farmers had moved from subsistence farming to modern agriculture, embracing the use of modern inputs.
During the occasion, Self Help Africa donated two metric tons of beans, one of which will be distributed to vulnerable households for consumption and the other being seeds. The One Acre Fund donated 20 water tanks to enhance hand washing in the county.
By Philip Onyango
