This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
COVID-19 Pandemic Hits Baringo County ¶
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third month in Kenya, Baringo County remains one of the most vulnerable areas, with a population of over 600,000 and limited healthcare facilities.
According to a spot check by the Nation, the county has only two isolation units, located at Kaptimbor Dispensary and Eldama Ravine Hospital, with a total of 17 beds. The facilities have basic equipment, including beds and an oxygen tank, but lack the necessary infrastructure to handle a potential outbreak.
Residents of the county are concerned about the lack of preparedness, with some traveling over 100 kilometers to access the nearest health facility. In arid and semi-arid areas, such as Tiaty, residents have proposed setting up isolation wards in each of the six sub-counties to ease response to the pandemic.
However, Governor Stanley Kiptis has pledged to set up more isolation units, but this has yet to be done two months after the launch of the initial units. The county's disaster preparedness is in limbo, with a poor communication network and limited healthcare resources.
Health workers in the county have expressed concerns about their ability to combat the pandemic, citing a lack of training and equipment. National Nurses Association of Kenya Baringo Branch Chairperson Elizabeth Yator stated that some health workers were not aware of the basics of handling coronavirus patients or taking care of themselves to prevent infection.
Despite the challenges, the Baringo County assembly has set aside Sh200 million to fight the virus, with Sh101 million allocated to the emergency fund and Sh31 million to support the COVID-19 response team. The county's disaster risk department plans to provide food and non-food items to over 200,000 vulnerable people in the region.
Published on May 19, 2020
