A Community Based Organization (CBO) Official in Kiambu County has called on health stakeholders to double their efforts to lower infant and maternal mortality rates in the county by encouraging hospital deliveries.
The Chairman of Twaweza Health for Wealth Group based in Thika Town, Jackton Gacheri said the county was recording one of the highest mortality rates in the country owing to low uptake of the governments’ free maternity services by the local mothers.
Addressing residents during a visit at the Kiambu District Hospital on Monday, the official said deep seated cultural beliefs amongst the local community had also watered down efforts to reduce disease burden in the county.
He observed that some locals refused go for treatment in health facilities in the belief that their ailments and those of their children were as a result of witchcraft thus leading to deaths which would have been averted had they sought proper medication.
He said HIV/AIDS alongside drug abuse poses great and serious threats to the future lives of Kiambu county inhabitants especially the youths.
The official further said his organisation has been engaging the youths in discussions meant to enhance their participation in wealth creation and bringing down disease burden in the county.
He called on the locals to support the county government in the implementation of the county’s strategic plan 2013-2017 whose pillars were wealth creation through improved health care, provision of quality education and sound infrastructure.
On the other hand, Gacheri told the county government to aggressively market the county to local and foreign investors through providing a conducive environment for investment in areas such as tourism, agriculture, transport and infrastructure, manufacturing, communications, energy, building and construction.
"The county possesses a deep pool of educated and skilled manpower capable of transforming the county into a manufacturing, commercial and financial hub in the region," said Gacheri.