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October 16, 2018 www.mygov.go.ke NEWSFOCUS | 13 Government to open international college Students from Somalia and Ethiopia set to gain admission into medical training institute BY DICKSON GITHAIGA KNA-MANDERA T he Kenya Medical Training Board will open up a college in Mandera County next year, with students from Somalia and Ethiopia set to gain admission. The Kenya Medical Training College Director General Michael Kiptoo, while speaking to the press Friday at the site where the college will be constructed said medical courses will now be devolved from the national level to the grassroots. “We will now bring services closer to the people to reduce the burden of area residents traveling to Nairobi and other parts of the country to look for training opportunities,” said Kiptoo. He noted that the college earmarked for operation in March 2019, will address medical needs of the region as every county has its own unique needs. Speaking in the same function, the chairman Kenya Medical Training board of directors Professor Philip Kaloki said it was the government’s commitment to expand medical training in all corners of the republic. 200 Students somalia will send when the college is operational “While on a tour of the region in 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to open up a medical training college in the region and today we have come to accomplish his promise,” said Kaloki. The chairman said students from Somalia and Ethiopia will be admitted to the college as talks with the two governments have been accomplished. “Somalia will send 200 students when the college is operational which will reduce congestion in our hospitals as many patients we receive daily are from across the border. It will also go a long way in reducing security challenges posed by the Al Shabaab,” he said. Residents benefit from free cancer screening Screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancer aimed at reaching vulnerable communities The beneficiaries mostly from pastoralist communities in the area received free screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancer in a move aimed at curbing cancer among communities rated as least educated and most vulnerable in the county. Baringo County Director of BY JANE NGUGI KNA-NAKURU M ore than 500 needy families in Mogotio, Baringo County, have benefited from free cancer screening services courtesy of Dandelion Africa, a local NGO and the County Government of Baringo. Public Health Dr. Robert Rono said among the services offered at the daylong clinic at Kampi Turkana village was effective use of contraceptives and child spacing as central to healthy families. Dr. Rono noted that high illiteracy and retrogressive cultural practices among beneficiaries have led to a rise of non-communicable diseases, early pregnancies and marriages among girls and these have necessitated the awareness program. The director says as part of a deliberate bid to reach out to communities most at risk in the largely pastoralist county, such initiatives will be rolled out across 30 wards in the region in efforts to make the public aware about controlling cancer and advocating equal rights for children. Dandelion The need for towels has also often lured them into snares of early marriages making school completion rates among girls in the area at an alarming low every year – Harun Karanja Members of Dandelion Africa distribute sanitary towels to pupils of Alice Igham primary school. Africa administrator Harun Karanja said besides cancer screening and awareness, the programme will reach out to public primary schools in the area to donate sanitary towels to girls. Karanja said the personal effects are basic to sustaining girls in school. He said most 500 Needy families that have benefited from free cancer screening cases of girls dropping out from school in the area have been attributed to lack of sanitary pads. “The need for towels has also often lured them into snares of early marriages making school completion rates among girls in the area at an alarming low every year,” he added. A Community starts work on harambee health centre Officials say they took the initiative to curb health service access problems which have dogged the area for more than six years lose lives when they become sick because they lack a place for medication. “Communicable diseases have become a thorn in the flesh of residents. Majority of women have lost their lives during delivery because there’s no hospital,” he added. The residents said that their request to have Homa Bay government help them construct hospital in the area has been delayed. Okumu said the health facility would serve five primary, three secondary schools besides entire community population. He said the nearest health centre in the BY DAVIS LANGAT KNA-HOMA BAY community in Homa Bay County has embarked on constructing a health facility after their efforts to reach county government for assistance failed. The community of Aoch Muga village in Rangwe constituency is constructing a health facility worth Sh17.5million. They said they took the initiative to curb health service access problems which have dogged the area for more than six years. The community construction committee chairman Philip Okumu said most residents have become vulnerable to diseases due to lack of a health facility in the area. Speaking to KNA during the groundbreaking ceremony, Okumu said they have contributed Sh7.5million for the start. “We’re still calling upon Homa Bay government to come in and help us get a medical facility in this area,” Okumu said. The chairman said they have donated a 7.5 acre piece of land for the construction. Okumu argued that a number of residents area is Rangwe sub county hospital which is about 6km away. “We could not wait any longer because that would mean we continue loose more lives. We welcome well-wishers to join us,” Okumu said. Gem West Chief Joel Otieno said they are providing security during and after the construction of the medical facility. “We’re ready to protect and safeguard construction materials and labourers to ensure the work runs smoothly without any threat,” Otieno said. Area MCA Charles Awino said he will petition the county executive to ensure they allocate funds to aid the construction of the facility. Awino said he will also follow the whereabouts of Sh5millon allocated in the previous financial years for construction of a health facility in the area. “Good health is a key pillar in development and it’s unfortunate most residents here can’t achieve it. We should ensure our people get assisted where necessary,” Awino said. But Homa Bay health executive Richard Muga refuted claims they have failed to support the community come up with a health facility in the area.

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