Baringo: Lwala Community Alliance has donated a consignment of pharmaceuticals and clinical supplies worth Sh 7.3 million to the Baringo County health department. Speaking during the handing-over ceremony at Baringo County Referral Hospital in Kabarnet town, Senior Manager for Clinical Training at LWALA Anne Kipsuto said the support is geared towards improving preventable cases of maternal deaths in the county.

According to Kenya News Agency, Kipsuto, welcomed by County Chief Officer (CO) for health services Nancy Chesire and County Assembly Health Committee Chairperson Josphat Akuro, said they chose Baringo specifically because of challenges related to insufficient drugs and complications, which often lead to maternal deaths, especially at the grassroots level. Moreover, she revealed that her charitable organization has teamed up with other partners to boost existing stock not only in Baringo but also in Migori and Homa Bay counties. ‘Our aim is to ensure that all newborn children and expectant and lactating mothers can access quality care,’ said the official.

The Health Services C.O., while lauding the noble cause, said her department is going to distribute the consignment to 144 health facilities across the county with consideration to facilities in remote and underserved areas. Chesire pointed out that the county since the beginning of this year has faced challenges due to the pulling out of crucial partners like USAID, which has hampered availability of medical supplies in all the facilities across the nine sub counties.

On the other hand, Akuro said that they have stopped the construction of new health facilities to concentrate on availing drugs for all patients. On his part, Barwessa Ward Member of County Assembly encouraged residents to register for Social Health Authority (SHA) to boost revenue streams, which he said will also boost employment of staff at the facilities.