The Mandera County government has allocated more than Sh800 million in the 2017-18 budget to improve health services in the county.
Mandera Governor Ali Roba said the money will seek to improve medical services, especially the health of mothers and children in the county.
Roba said the county has made tremendous achievements in the health sector because of devolution, noting that maternal and infant mortality rates have reduced.
The funds will be used to upgrade medical facilities to offer high quality maternal and child health services and also upgrading hospital infrastructure and equipment to ensure better services for the residents.
“Devolution has greatly changed the situation of Mandera County. Previously there was a big challenge with health services delivery and many of the children died at a tender age.”
“The county is focusing on reducing the 10 most common causes of morbidity and mortality,” he said as quoted by the Star.
The governor said the five most common medical conditions are upper respiratory tract infections, malaria, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and skin disease.
According to the governor, before 2013, more than 80 per cent of health facilities in the county did not have enough medical workers adding that due to devolution, Mandera has reduced the doctor-population ratio by hiring more than 30 new doctors.
“The county has so far upgraded the six Level IV facilities, nine Level III facilities, 24 Level II facilities, six nursing homes and 60 private clinics.”
“The county is working with the national government to improve vaccine programmes, reduce malnutrition and improve other health functions that had not been devolved,” said the governor.