Eleven new medical facilities opened recently in Kirinyaga County are playing a pivotal role in the County’s effort to control increase of lifestyle diseases.
The dispensaries and health centres are being used to offer free screening and special clinics for diabetes and hypertension in the wake of reports ranking Kirinyaga as having highest prevalence rate of the lifestyle diseases.
County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation Dr. George Karoki said the new medical facilities have helped in the strengthening of Primary Healthcare which plays an integral role in successful implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Karoki said the County Government has constructed 20 new dispensaries and health centres, with 11 of them already equipped and operationalized. The opened facilities includes; South Ngariama, Umoja, Kiandai, Kiamwathi, Kianjiru, Kiaumbui, Matandara, Mucagara, Kamwana, Riakithiga Laboratory and Joshua Mbai Laboratory.
He said because of their proximity to the people, the facilities have boosted and reduced cost of the fight against high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney and cancer ailments which have a high prevalence in the county.
“The new medical facilities opened by Governor Anne Waiguru have come in handy in our effort to fight non-communicable diseases in the county. They are helping in early detection and are offering clinics for people suffering from the ailments,” Karoki said.
Initially, only Kerugoya County Referral Hospital, Kianyaga, Kimbimbi and Sagana hospitals were offering clinics for the diseases. Currently, all the medical facilities are conducting screening for the non-communicable diseases including cervical cancer.
“Only level three, four and five hospitals were handling the diseases but now health centres and dispensaries have been roped in. We are doing check-ups for all patients coming in our facilities before they get to see the doctor. Clinics for those who already have the diseases been rolled out across the county,” he said.
Karoki said construction of the medical facilities which has been fully funded by the County Government is part of an elaborate plan to address healthcare challenges in the county.
Statistics from the health department shows that as of 2024, there was about 17200 cases of hypertension and about 5000 of diabetes in Kirinyaga.
The CEC said early community-based detection through screening can help in timely treatment and management of risk factors, help reduce morbidity and mortality.
“It is easy to treat ailments when they are detected early and therefore these new dispensaries are helping us take medical services closer to the people. When there is early detection, this helps in containing health‐related costs associated with hospitalisation due to severe illness and poorly managed risk factors,” he added.
The County Government has also employed more medics to fill in gaps that have been created through construction and upgrading of new and existing medical facilities.
Governor Waiguru said strengthening of healthcare infrastructure is one of the interventions the county is using to enhance service delivery and to attain universal health coverage.
“With a strong primary healthcare at the dispensaries, there will be less congestion at higher-level health institutions, allowing level four and five hospitals to deal with more complex health issues more efficiently,” Waiguru said.
Apart from strengthening healthcare infrastructure, other interventions include; provision of essential commodities like necessary medications and medical supplies, a 24 hour ambulance referral system for patients presenting with complications at the primary healthcare facilities. The County is also training community health promoters and healthcare workers in the management of hypertension, diabetes, and common cancers to enhance service delivery.
Residents have expressed their appreciation for the county’s effort to improve and take healthcare services to the village.
Stella Wambui from Mucagara village, shared her experience, saying, “Since this dispensary was launched, we have been able to get medical services without traveling long distances. I used to go to Karumande or Kianyaga for treatment, but now, I receive all my care here, including diabetes checkups. We are very grateful to Governor Waiguru for bringing these services closer to us.”
John Gitari, who has been receiving treatment for arthritis, credited the dispensary’s timely intervention.
“If the County Government hadn’t built this facility, my condition could have worsened. It’s from Mucagara dispensary that I was referred to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital, where I was diagnosed and placed under treatment. Now, I can get my medications and checkups here. This facility has truly changed my life,” he said.
Jane Wambere from Gathigiriri ward praised Matara dispensary’s role in supporting expectant mothers and children. “When you come here for a diabetes diagnosis, you get all the necessary drugs. The dispensary is next to a school, which is an advantage because if a child falls sick, they can get treatment immediately,” she stated.
Jemimah Mugo from Kiandegwa village said the new dispensary in her area has helped to reduce the healthcare burden for her. She used to seek medical attention at Thiba Health Centre which is about 20 kilometers away.
“The Umoja dispensary, has been a blessing. Women in this area no longer have to travel long distances for treatment. We receive child vaccines, immunizations, and free medication for chronic illnesses like hypertension and diabetes here,” she said.
Through health education, residents are also being encouraged to reduce the major modifiable risk factors, such as unhealthy diets, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and to increase physical activities.
Development of walk-ways at Kerugoya town and carbro-paving of towns like Kutus, Kagio, Kianyaga will encourage people to walk for long distance so as to burn cholesterol.
