First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and her Mozambican counterpart Isaura Nyusi have commissioned Point of Care Early Infant Diagnosis (POCEID) technology at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu, in a move aimed at speeding up HIV testing for newborns.
After the commissioning, Margaret launched the National Point of Care Technologies Roadmap, which is meant to expand access to the new testing system for babies across the country.
The new device is designed to give immediate results, allowing infants exposed to HIV to begin antiretroviral therapy without delay. It replaces the older Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, whose results can take four to 10 days.
JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Peter Okoth said the PCR method can sometimes produce false results in newborns because it may pick up antigens from the mother. He also said PCR testing for newborn babies is carried out at KEMRI laboratories in Kisian, about 15 kilometres from JOOTRH.
At the hospital, the two First Ladies were received by Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, Dr. Peter Okoth, County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr. Rosemary Obara, County Secretary Dr. Olango Onudi and Director of Health Dr. Dickens Onyango.
The visit also included a stop at the wards where about 60 women recovering from surgery linked to obstetric fistulae were being treated.
“I visited over 60 women who have suffered from obstetric fistulae. Today they have been given hope, they will no longer suffer from stigma and shame. They are mothers, wives and sisters and I ask that we embrace and reintegrate these women so that they too can contribute to the development of their communities,” said First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.
The two leaders were in Kisumu to launch Beyond Zero’s second Medical Safari, a model that brings specialist health services to the public at designated sites. The three-day camp was held at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds, where Margaret also unveiled the National POCEID roadmap and the Kisumu County Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (eMTCT) and Syphilis Framework 2018-2022.
Margaret said the county framework would help accelerate action against HIV and Aids in Kisumu, where prevalence stands at 8.7 per cent. She said the Beyond Zero Medical Safaris were created to bring care closer to women and families facing major health challenges.
“We are confident that if we work hard and work together, Kenya will achieve its health targets,” she said.
She added that many families still cannot afford health care and said she would continue pushing for the welfare of women and children.
“As a woman and a mother, I will continue to work hard to protect the welfare of women and children. Women are the centre of families and the children of this country are our future,” she said.
Residents from Kisumu and neighbouring counties used the camp for treatment and screening services, including obstetric fistula care, breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening, antenatal care, and checks for cardiac, chest and eye conditions.
Others registered for the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), the Linda Mama programme, which covers safe delivery and immunisation of babies, and disability registration for children.
Margaret said she was encouraged by the turnout at the camp.
“I am deeply touched to see that Kisumu residents and those from neighbouring counties have chosen to take their health seriously by participating in this medical camp,” the Kenyan First Lady said.
She thanked the partners supporting Beyond Zero, including the county and national governments and the private sector, saying the effort was aimed at advancing Universal Health Care.
Kisumu became the second county to host the Beyond Zero Medical Safaris after Narok County on September 12, when hundreds of people were diagnosed and treated for different ailments. Margaret said the safaris would be taken to all 47 counties.
Isaura Nyusi, who was in Kenya with her husband Filipe Nyusi on a state visit, said Kenya and Mozambique face similar health challenges and that she had learned important lessons from the delivery of health services in the country.
Prof. Nyong’o, Dr. Obara, Director of Medical Services Dr. Jackson Kioko, NACC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nduku Kilonzo and County Commissioner Ms Pauline Dola also addressed the event.
